As rumors swirl around a possible Bosa brother reunion, could this be the year the 49ers acquire Joey Bosa?
The San Francisco 49ers may be staring at one of the more compelling free agent storylines of the offseason: the possibility of reuniting Joey and Nick Bosa on the same NFL roster for the first time since their Ohio State days.
It’s a move that blends logic with intrigue, and one that could directly address San Francisco’s most glaring weakness from a season ago.
According to CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles, the 49ers were projected as a potential landing spot for Joey Bosa, who checked in at No. 36 on his list of the top 50 free agents.
While projections are far from guarantees, the connection is easy to understand.
San Francisco’s pass rush collapsed in 2025, finishing last in the league with just 20 sacks. Injuries decimated the defensive front, including season-ending ACL tears to Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, and the ripple effect left the secondary exposed far too often.
Joey Bosa’s 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills showed he still has something left to offer. Playing on a one-year, $12.6 million deal, the former No. 3 overall pick produced five sacks, nine tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and 54 total pressures in 15 games.
Those numbers may not resemble his prime years, but they would have led the 49ers across the board last season. Even in a “down” year, Bosa remained disruptive.
From a schematic standpoint, the fit is compelling. The 49ers have long viewed Mykel Williams as most effective when sliding inside on passing downs, and Nick Bosa, when healthy, remains one of the league’s premier edge defenders.
Adding Joey as a rotational rusher could allow the next 49ers defensive coordinator to manage snaps more strategically.
Early downs could feature Nick and Williams, while obvious passing situations might unleash Joey off the edge opposite his brother, with Williams attacking the interior.
It’s a high-upside formula designed to create pressure without overtaxing any one player.
Pereles noted that Joey could thrive as a situational addition, particularly with both Nick Bosa and Williams working their way back from major injuries.
There are valid concerns. At 30 years old, Joey Bosa is entering the phase of his career where efficiency matters more than volume.
Bosa is projected by Spotrac to command around $13 million on another one-year deal, and durability has never been a strength for either brother.
The 49ers already carry plenty of injury risk, and committing significant cap space to another veteran with mileage isn’t without consequence.
Still, context matters. Coming off a frustrating playoff loss and a quieter statistical season, Joey Bosa may be motivated by more than just the biggest offer.
The chance to play alongside his brother and chase another deep postseason run could bring his price tag down.