Joey Bosa’s Time with the Los Angeles Chargers Comes to an End
The NFL world was abuzz on Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Chargers announced the release of star linebacker Joey Bosa, marking the end of a nine-season chapter with the franchise. This decision, though expected, carried significant weight for both Bosa and the Chargers. It symbolized the culmination of a career marked by both thrilling highs on the field and the inevitable lows that come with the rigors of professional football.
Bosa, the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, began his journey with the Chargers when they were still based in San Diego. Over the years, he became a cornerstone of the team’s defense, earning numerous accolades and setting franchise records. However, the past few seasons have been challenging for the once-dominant pass rusher, plagued by injuries and emotional outbursts that occasionally overshadowed his on-field accomplishments. The decision to release Bosa was largely driven by his hefty salary cap number of $36.47 million for the 2025 season, a figure that proved unsustainable for a team looking to reshape its roster for the future.
One of the most defining aspects of Bosa’s career with the Chargers was his inconsistent relationship with injuries. Despite his formidable talent, the linebacker struggled to stay healthy, missing significant playing time due to a variety of ailments. In 2022, a groin injury kept him sidelined for most of the season, and in 2023, a foot injury forced him to miss the final seven games. These absences, coupled with a noticeable decline in production—only five sacks in the 2024 season, his lowest in six years—made it clear that Bosa’s prime was behind him.
Despite these challenges, Bosa’s contributions to the Chargers cannot be overlooked. He was a key figure during some of the team’s most promising seasons, earning five Pro Bowl selections and the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2016. His 72 sacks rank him among the top pass rushers in the NFL since he entered the league, and he sits second in franchise history for sacks. These achievements serve as a reminder of the significant impact he had during his healthier and more dominant years.
The Chargers’ decision to release Bosa also underscores the harsh realities of the NFL’s business side. In 2020, Bosa signed a five-year, $135 million extension, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the league at the time. While the deal was a testament to his value then, it became a financial burden as injuries began to mount. By cutting ties with Bosa, the Chargers free up $25.36 million in cap space, a crucial move as the team looks to rebuild and surround young quarterback Justin Herbert with talent.
As Bosa moves forward, the football world will undoubtedly be watching to see where he lands next. Though his time with the Chargers has come to an end, his legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest defensive players remains intact. For now, fans and analysts alike will recall the highs of his career—the electrifying sacks, the Pro Bowl appearances, and the tenacity he brought to every game—even as the challenges he faced serve as a reminder of the fragility of success in the NFL. Bosa’s story is far from over, but his chapter with the Chargers will always be remembered as a complex yet captivating journey.
