49ers Named Best Fit for Aging Defensive Star

Veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa could join younger brother Nick on the 49ers defensive line.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:49pm by Ben Kaplan

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With the first big waves of free agency receding, the San Francisco 49ers have been identified as a potential landing spot for veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa. Bosa, who previously played nine seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, is coming off a 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills where he recorded 5 sacks, 29 tackles, and 16 quarterback hits. The 49ers have an opening at the defensive line position and could see Bosa as a low-risk, high-reward addition to play alongside his younger brother, Nick Bosa, who is recovering from a second torn ACL.

Why it matters

The 49ers have a need for defensive line help in 2026 with the younger Bosa and 2025 first-round pick Mykell Wiliams recovering from ACL injuries. Bringing in the veteran Joey Bosa could provide a solid floor at the position, even if he has his own injury history to manage.

The details

Joey Bosa had 5 forced fumbles, 5 sacks, 29 combined tackles, 16 quarterback hits and 6 tackles for a loss in 15 games for the Buffalo Bills last season. He previously played 9 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. The 49ers have an opening at the defensive line position after Bryce Huff retired and Clelin Ferrell and Yetur Gross-Matos are free agents. Bosa would join a rotation with the younger Bosa and Wiliams once they recover from their injuries.

  • In the 2025 season, Joey Bosa played for the Buffalo Bills.
  • Bryce Huff retired from the 49ers on Thursday.
  • Clelin Ferrell and Yetur Gross-Matos are free agents as of this writing.

The players

Joey Bosa

A veteran edge rusher who previously played 9 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and is coming off a 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills where he recorded 5 sacks, 29 tackles, and 16 quarterback hits.

Nick Bosa

Joey Bosa's younger brother, who plays for the San Francisco 49ers and is recovering from the second torn ACL of his pro career.

Mykell Wiliams

The 49ers' 2025 first-round draft pick, who is recovering from an ACL injury.

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What they’re saying

“The 49ers are a team that's very comfortable taking aggressive swings on talented players with upside, even if that upside comes with injury concerns.”

— Bill Barnwell, ESPN Writer (ESPN)

What’s next

If the price is right, bringing in the veteran Joey Bosa could be a low-risk, high-reward move for the 49ers to bolster their defensive line depth as they look to make another Super Bowl run.

The takeaway

The 49ers' interest in Joey Bosa highlights their willingness to take a chance on talented players with injury histories in order to improve their roster. Adding the veteran edge rusher alongside his brother Nick could provide a significant boost to their defensive line, even as they manage the recoveries of other key players.