Chargers Release Star Linebacker Joey Bosa, Freeing Up Significant Cap Space
The Los Angeles Chargers have parted ways with outside linebacker Joey Bosa, announcing his release on Wednesday night. As one of the team’s most respected veterans and a standout player in franchise history, Bosa’s departure marks the end of an era. This move conveniently frees up $25.36 million from the team’s salary cap. Bosa, who is 29 years old, was initially drafted by the Chargers as the third overall pick in 2016. With 72 regular-season sacks, Bosa ranks as the second-highest sack leader for the franchise, trailing only Leslie O’Neal’s 105.5.
Joey Bosa made an instant impact in the NFL, earning the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 thanks to his impressive 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. He quickly rose to prominence as one of the league’s premier edge rushers, earning Pro Bowl honors four times in his first six years. Notably, Bosa holds an NFL record by amassing 19 sacks within his initial 20 games.
In 2020, the Chargers showed their confidence in Bosa by granting him a five-year contract extension worth $135 million, the most lucrative deal for a defensive player at that time. Unfortunately, injuries have hindered his play, limiting him to just 28 games over the past three seasons. Nonetheless, Bosa was named to his fifth Pro Bowl in 2024 as an alternate, with his 14 games that season being his highest since 2021. Despite the injuries, Bosa remained a force on the field. During the Chargers’ playoff defeat to the Houston Texans in January, he led the team with six pressures and recorded a sack.
Throughout the season, Bosa expressed his desire to remain with the Chargers for the duration of his career. He even accepted a pay cut last offseason to continue donning the team’s uniform. However, with a projected $36.4 million cap hit looming this season, it became financially impractical for the Chargers. By releasing Bosa, they have now increased their cap space to $90.6 million. This marks the first time in Bosa’s career that he will experience the realm of free agency.