With Odafe Oweh likely headed to Washington, the Chargers suddenly have a hole on the edge. Could a reunion with former star Joey Bosa be the answer? After a solid season in Buffalo, bringing back a familiar face might make sense.
The Los Angeles Chargers appear to be losing one of their key defensive contributors just as free agency begins. Edge rusher Odafe Oweh is reportedly headed to the Washington Commanders, agreeing to a four-year deal worth roughly $100 million after finishing last season strong.
For a Chargers team that is trying to remain competitive while reshaping the roster, the loss of Oweh creates a noticeable hole on the edge. While they did re-sign Khalil Mack, relying on one aging pass rusher alone isn’t a sustainable plan. The Chargers still need another proven presence who can pressure quarterbacks and stabilize the defensive front.
One name that makes a lot of sense is a very familiar one: Joey Bosa.
Bosa spent the majority of his career with the Chargers before departing last offseason. At the time, the move made sense. Injuries had limited his availability, and the team needed to create financial flexibility. Still, Bosa’s impact during his time in Los Angeles can’t be ignored. He was one of the most productive defensive players in franchise history and served as the cornerstone of the pass rush for years.
Last season with the Buffalo Bills, Bosa proved he still has plenty left in the tank. In 15 games, he recorded 29 tackles, five sacks and an impressive five forced fumbles, showing that he can still disrupt offenses even if he isn’t quite the same dominant force he once was.
Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they tell a deeper story. Bosa remained effective in limited opportunities and continued to create turnovers, which is something every defense values. Forced fumbles in particular can swing games, and Bosa led the way in that category for Buffalo’s defense.
The bigger reason a reunion makes sense, though, is familiarity.
Bosa already knows the Chargers organization, the expectations, and the fan base. Bringing him back wouldn’t require a long adjustment period. If anything, he could step right back into a rotational role while helping mentor younger players along the defensive line.
Financially, a reunion could also work. Bosa signed a one-year deal with Buffalo last season, which means he likely isn’t commanding the massive contracts that younger edge rushers receive. For a team that still needs to address other roster spots — including the interior offensive line and defensive line — a short-term contract for Bosa could provide solid value.
There’s also the emotional element. Fans never love seeing franchise stars leave, and Bosa was one of the most recognizable Chargers players of the last decade. Bringing him back, even for a year or two, could be a move that benefits both the locker room and the fan base.
Of course, the Chargers could look elsewhere. Free agency always brings unexpected opportunities, and the draft remains another avenue to add pass rush help. But if the goal is to quickly replace Oweh with a reliable veteran who already understands the organization, Bosa checks a lot of boxes.
Sometimes the best solution isn’t complicated. Sometimes it’s simply bringing a familiar face back home.