Bills Expected to Watch Joey Bosa Join NFC Super Bowl Contender

The former Buffalo Bills pass rusher could reunite with his brother Nick on the San Francisco 49ers.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:49pm

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After one uneven season in Buffalo, free agent edge rusher Joey Bosa is expected to sign with a Super Bowl contender in the NFC, with the San Francisco 49ers emerging as a likely destination where he could join his brother Nick Bosa. The Bills had signed the veteran pass rusher last offseason in hopes of bolstering their defense, but he struggled at times and had a critical penalty in their playoff loss.

Why it matters

Bosa's potential departure is a blow to the Bills' defense, which was already undergoing a significant overhaul after the team fired head coach Sean McDermott and hired Joe Brady. The Bills have made other moves to address their pass rush, including signing Bradley Chubb, but losing Bosa would leave a hole they'll need to fill.

The details

Bosa, 30, had five sacks and led the NFL in forced fumbles during his one season with the Bills. However, he also struggled against the run at times and had a crucial penalty in the team's playoff loss. Now a free agent, he's expected to command a similar contract to the one-year, $12.6 million deal he had in Buffalo. The 49ers, led by Bosa's brother Nick, have emerged as a likely landing spot where he could help bolster their pass rush.

  • Bosa's one-year contract with the Bills expired at the end of the 2025 season.
  • The 49ers are expected to pursue Bosa in free agency this offseason.

The players

Joey Bosa

A veteran edge rusher who spent one season with the Buffalo Bills in 2025 after previously playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Nick Bosa

Joey Bosa's younger brother, who plays defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers.

Sean McDermott

The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who was fired after the 2025 season.

Joe Brady

The new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, hired after the 2025 season.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, hired 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

“The reunion with his younger brother would be a nice story, but bringing in Bosa is more about facts than feelings.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report writer

“Bosa, 30, had only five sacks in a healthy first season in Buffalo, but he did lead the NFL with five forced fumbles. He should get a deal similar to the $12.6 million he got a year ago.”

— Greg Auman, Fox Sports reporter

“We're going to be aggressive. We're going to fly around. … We're going to play well together. It is team defense. … We want to be a defense that's constantly evolving and growing through a game and throughout a season.”

— Jim Leonhard, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator

What’s next

The Bills will need to decide whether to try to re-sign Bosa or let him depart in free agency, as they continue to reshape their defense under new leadership.

The takeaway

Bosa's potential departure is a significant loss for the Bills, who had hoped he would help bolster their pass rush. His likely signing with a Super Bowl contender like the 49ers is a blow, but the Bills have already made other moves to address their defense and are looking to take a more aggressive approach under their new coaching staff.