San Francisco could pair the Bosa brothers to solidify a championship-ready defense, but financial hurdles remain as the veteran pass rusher seeks a lucrative free-agent deal.
The San Francisco 49ers made a notable investment in their defensive front during the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting edge rusher Romello Height in the third round to address a pass rush that lacked consistency a season ago.
Even with that addition, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 49ers remain active in the veteran market as they look to solidify their edge rotation ahead of the 2026 campaign. There are still proven pass rushers available in free agency, several of which have a track record of getting after the quarterback at a high level.
During a May 3 video on his YouTube channel, NBC Sports Bay Area insider Matt Maiocco fielded questions from fans and addressed whether Joey Bosa could still be in play for San Francisco.
“As long as Joey Bosa remains unsigned, he’s still an option,” Maiocco said. “Some of the top available players include Haason Reddick, Joey Bosa, and Michael Danna from Kansas City. Leonard Floyd was previously with the 49ers, but after being released, a return seems unlikely.”
Maiocco also tempered expectations, noting that while those names are on the board, a deal may not be financially realistic.
“Even with those names out there, it’s not something to expect,” he added. “While they are options, it doesn’t seem likely the team would be willing to pay Joey Bosa the kind of money he’s looking for.”
Bosa, who spent the 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills, showed he can still be an impactful player when healthy. He finished the year with a 79.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade, ranking 17th among qualified edge defenders. His pass-rush production stood out in particular, earning an elite 88.7 grade in that category.
Across the season, Bosa generated 47 total pressures, including five sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 30 hurries. He also contributed 22 solo tackles and forced five fumbles, though his run defense (54.6 grade) remained an area of inconsistency.
49ers Viewed as Logical Fit for Bosa
Whether the 49ers ultimately pursue Bosa remains uncertain, but Mike Renner of CBS Sports believes the pairing makes sense on paper.
“They do have the fourth-most cap space in the NFL,” Renner said on CBS Sports HQ. “But they also want to push their chips to the table because this group isn’t getting any younger.”
Renner pointed to key veterans like Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and Nick Bosa as indicators that San Francisco’s championship window is firmly in win right now mode.
“This is kind of the time,” Renner added. “Joey Bosa was productive last season. He’s dealt with injuries, but when healthy, he still impacts games.”
Proven Production Still There
Renner also emphasized that Bosa’s 2025 performance with Buffalo should reassure teams about his current level of play.
“He was the Bills’ best pass rusher a year ago and was finally looking fully healthy,” Renner said. “As much as he’s been banged up, people think he’s older than he is. He’s the same age as Myles Garrett. There could still be more left in the tank if he stays healthy.”
For the 49ers, the appeal is obvious. Not only would they be adding a productive edge rusher, but potentially pairing Joey with his younger brother, Nick, to form one of the league’s most dangerous pass rushing duos would absolutely be a sight to see.
While financial hurdles and long term durability remain factors, the connection between Bosa and San Francisco continues to be one worth monitoring as the offseason unfolds.