49ers Eyeing 5-Time Pro Bowler with 77 Career Sacks

San Francisco in need of edge rush help after Bryce Huff's retirement

Mar. 16, 2026 at 1:12pm by Ben Kaplan

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The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly interested in signing former Buffalo Bills edge rusher Joey Bosa, a 5-time Pro Bowler with 77 career sacks, to bolster their pass rush. The Niners finished with just 20 sacks last season and are looking to add more firepower on the edge, especially with Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams returning from torn ACLs.

Why it matters

The 49ers' pass rush was a major weakness in 2025, and they need to address that issue to compete in the NFC West. Signing a proven veteran like Joey Bosa could provide a significant boost, even if he is not the dominant player he once was due to injuries. A Bosa brothers reunion in San Francisco would also be a compelling storyline.

The details

After tallying double-digit sacks in four of his first six seasons, Joey Bosa has seen his production decline in recent years, topping out at just 6.5 sacks since 2020. In 2025, he had 5 sacks in 15 games for the Bills, but was largely invisible in the second half of the season, leading to Buffalo not re-signing him. While Bosa is no longer the elite pass rusher he once was, the 49ers may view him as their best available option to upgrade their struggling defensive front.

  • The 49ers finished the 2025 season with just 20 sacks, one of the lowest totals in the NFL.
  • Edge rusher Bryce Huff unexpectedly retired at age 27 after the 2025 season, leaving a hole in the 49ers' pass rush.
  • Both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are returning from torn ACLs sustained in 2025.

The players

Joey Bosa

A 5-time Pro Bowl edge rusher who has recorded 77 career sacks in the NFL, most recently playing for the Buffalo Bills.

Nick Bosa

The 49ers' star defensive end, who is returning from a torn ACL suffered in 2025.

Mykel Williams

A 49ers defensive end who is also coming back from a torn ACL in 2025, with the jury still out on his development.

Bryce Huff

A depth edge rusher for the 49ers who unexpectedly retired at age 27 after the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“Granted, Bosa is no longer the player who won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, has been named to five Pro Bowls and logged double-digit sacks on four separate occasions. He had five sacks in 562 snaps with the Buffalo Bills in 2025.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

“But the 49ers needed to bolster the pass rush even before edge-rusher Bryce Huff abruptly retired after finishing with three fewer sacks as a team last year than Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns had by himself.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The 49ers will need to determine if Joey Bosa is the best available option to upgrade their pass rush, weighing his declining production against the lack of other appealing free agent options.

The takeaway

The 49ers' struggles to generate a consistent pass rush in 2025 were a major factor in their disappointing season, and they cannot afford to have a similar issue in 2026. Signing a proven veteran like Joey Bosa, even if he is no longer at his peak, could provide a much-needed boost to their defensive front.