Joey Bosa is a big name based on his reputation alone. There’s also the fact that he’s the brother of Nick Bosa, who has averaged 13 sacks a season since he was drafted No. 2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2019.
Joey did it first, of course. He was drafted No. 3 overall by the then-San Diego Chargers in 2016, and he has had times of being an elite pass-rusher. He has four seasons of over 10 sacks, but unfortunately, those dominant seasons were much earlier in his career.
He’s notched 14 sacks in the last three seasons combined while only playing in 28 of a potential 51 games due to injury.
That, plus the $25.36M in cap space the Chargers saved by cutting him, is why Bosa now finds himself staring at free agency.
He’s a big name and will probably draw a big contract, but there is one team looking for a pass-rusher or two that should not get into the Joey Bosa sweepstakes, and that’s the Green Bay Packers.
Why not?
There’s no argument for going after Bosa when he was in his prime, but he’s a few years past that now and he’ll turn 30 by the time the 2025 season kicks off.
As mentioned, he’ll still demand a big contract because of his name and past production, but the Packers are likely parting ways with an oft-injured star in Jaire Alexander this offseason because he, like Bosa, seems to be a bit past his prime and he can’t stay healthy.
Why let Alexander go because he can’t stay healthy, while turning around and bringing in the same type of player in Bosa?
Sure, pass rush is a massive need for the Packers, but that’s a need they can fill in the 2025 NFL Draft and there are other free agents worth considering at the position.
Dayo Odeyingbo from the Indianapolis Colts has 16 sacks over the past three seasons and he’s brimming with potential at just 25 years old. If the Packers want to go with a veteran, Khalil Mack is set to be a free agent for the first time in his career. Unlike Bosa, he’s stayed relatively healthy in Los Angeles and he’s one year removed from a 17-sack season.
The point is, there are options for the Packers, and Bosa should not be one of them.