The Detroit Lions have been chasing a consistent pass-rushing presence opposite Aidan Hutchinson for a while now. That search has mostly come up empty, with a few low-risk signings that haven’t quite moved the needle.
It’s clear the Lions need more firepower off the edge-someone who can complement Hutchinson and give opposing quarterbacks something else to worry about. And with the offseason approaching, the question is whether GM Brad Holmes is ready to make a real move at the position.
Enter Joey Bosa.
As the Lions prepare for what could be a pivotal offseason, Bosa’s name has resurfaced as a potential fit in Detroit. Jared Dubin recently identified Bosa as a free agent the Lions should prioritize, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Lions don’t have a ton of cap space to play with, so they’re likely shopping for value rather than splash. But value doesn’t mean low impact-especially when you’re talking about a player like Bosa, who still has plenty in the tank when used the right way.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year version of Bosa. The former Chargers star, once a dominant force with four Pro Bowl selections under his belt, has battled injuries that have changed the trajectory of his career. His final three seasons in Los Angeles were marred by setbacks, and he never quite returned to his early-career form.
But this past season with the Buffalo Bills, Bosa showed he’s far from done. Used in a rotational role, he logged five sacks over 15 games-not eye-popping, but when you dig deeper, the impact becomes clearer.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bosa graded out as a top-30 edge defender overall and ranked top-10 in pass rush grade among edge rushers. That’s significant, especially for a player who wasn’t seeing starter-level snaps.
And here’s the kicker: Bosa led the league with five forced fumbles and added nine tackles for loss. That’s the kind of disruptive presence the Lions have been missing. He may not be the every-down, double-digit sack guy he once was, but Bosa can still tilt the field when he’s on it.
The fit in Detroit makes sense. Holmes has shown a knack for identifying under-the-radar veterans who still have something to offer, and Bosa fits that mold. He wouldn’t need to carry the load-Hutchinson is still the alpha on that defensive front-but Bosa could be the perfect complement, especially if the Lions want to keep their edge rushers fresh and versatile.
Spotrac projects Bosa to land a multi-year deal this offseason, and that’s probably on the table for him. But if the market doesn’t materialize the way he hopes, and he’s looking for a prove-it deal on a contending team, Detroit should be ready to make the call.
The Lions are coming off a season where they proved they belong in the NFC’s upper tier. Adding a savvy, battle-tested pass rusher like Bosa could be the kind of move that helps push them even further.
At this point, the Lions don’t just need more bodies on the edge-they need production. Bosa may not be the long-term answer, but for 2026? He might just be the right guy at the right time.