Joey Bosa brother Nick Bosa continues to dominate the NFL while Joey recently signed a lucrative one-year, $12.6 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. The Bosa brothers have established themselves as two of the most formidable pass rushers in professional football, yet their careers have taken distinctly different trajectories in recent months.
Joey Bosa was released by the Los Angeles Chargers on March 5, 2025, ending a nine-season tenure with the franchise. The move came after Joey appeared in 14 games during the 2024 season, recording five sacks and two forced fumbles. His departure marked the end of an era for the Chargers, as he was one of the last remaining players from the San Diego era.
Nick Bosa Shines While Joey Finds New Home
Nick Bosa finished the 2024 season with nine sacks, 52 tackles, one interception, one pass defended, and one forced fumble, earning Pro Bowl honors for the fifth time. The San Francisco 49ers defensive end dealt with injury concerns late in the season, missing two crucial games due to hip and oblique injuries, but still managed to maintain his elite performance level.
The younger Bosa brother has consistently outperformed expectations since entering the league. Nick recorded 10.5 or more sacks for three consecutive seasons, earning a 92.2 defensive grade and a 92.3 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus in 2023, both career highs.
Meanwhile, Joey’s journey has been more challenging due to injury concerns. Joey appeared in only 14 games over the past two seasons, though he still managed 6.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits over just nine games played in 2023.
Brothers Consider NFL Reunion
The possibility of the Joey Bosa brother duo playing together has been a hot topic throughout their careers. Both brothers have expressed a desire to play alongside one another at some point during their NFL careers. This speculation intensified during the 2024 offseason when Joey faced potential salary cap casualties with the Chargers.
Nick Bosa admitted he spent time wondering what it would be like to chase after opposing quarterbacks on the same defensive line as his brother during the 2024 training camp. The 49ers’ need for additional pass-rushing help made this scenario seem plausible to many NFL analysts.
However, despite reported interest from the 49ers and Miami Dolphins, Joey ultimately chose Buffalo over the chance to play alongside Nick in San Francisco. The decision came down to opportunity and fit, with the Bills offering immediate playing time following their release of veteran Von Miller.
Family NFL Legacy Continues
The Bosa family’s NFL connections run deep. Their father, John Bosa, was a first-round draft pick who played in the NFL from 1987 to 1989. Their grandfather Palmer Pyle also played in the NFL, establishing a three-generation legacy in professional football.
Both brothers achieved a remarkable milestone in 2019 when they won Defensive Player of the Week honors in the same week (Week 8). Joey won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week with the Chargers while Nick won the NFC Defensive Player of the Week with the 49ers.
Current Status and Future Outlook
Joey’s new Buffalo Bills contract includes a $9 million signing bonus and $12 million guaranteed, with a maximum value reaching $15.6 million. In 2024, Joey totaled 22 tackles and 5.0 sacks in 14 games, with his 13.9% pass rush win rate ranking 22nd among all defensive linemen.
The Bills’ acquisition addresses their need for veteran pass-rushing expertise as they continue their pursuit of a Super Bowl championship. At 29, Joey is six years younger than the recently released Von Miller and provides the Bills with proven playoff experience.
Nick remains locked into his 49ers contract and continues to be a cornerstone of their defensive scheme. As of November 2024, Nick is 27 while Joey is 29, both playing defensive end positions and maintaining their status among the NFL’s elite pass rushers.
The Joey Bosa brother storyline continues to captivate NFL fans as both siblings pursue championship glory on separate coasts. While a reunion remains possible in future seasons, their current focus remains on helping their respective teams achieve postseason success.
What do you think about Joey’s decision to join Buffalo instead of reuniting with his brother in San Francisco? Share your thoughts on how this move might impact both teams’ championship aspirations.