A popular free-agent option among Indianapolis Colts fans may not actually be an option after all.
When the Indianapolis Colts convene for training camp in late July, they'll continue their competition for one of the starting defensive end spots between Arden Key and Jaylahn Tuimoloau.
Many on the outside are wondering whether another participant will be added via the free-agent market between now and then.
One of the most frequently mentioned free-agent options is Joey Bosa, who spent nearly a decade with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Buffalo Bills last year.
However, Bosa may not be playing for the Colts — or any other team — in 2026, or ever again.
“It is more likely than not that Joey Bosa has played his last NFL down,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said this week on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “Now, again, could a situation like the 49ers come along that entices him enough to come out and play again? Yeah, absolutely. We saw it happen last year with Philip Rivers, so you never know when a player is fully done and when he’s not done. But the fact of the matter is, I think if the Niners wanted to pair those two together, it probably would have happened already. I think if Joey Bosa wanted to play football, it probably would have happened already.”
The 49ers situation that Schefter alluded to is that Bosa's brother, Nick, plays for the San Francisco 49ers, so Joey could be enticed to go play there if the team shows interest.
Jan 30, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC defensive end Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers (left) with brother and AFC linebacker Joey Bosa during the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge at Nicholson Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesInjuries have been an issue for Bosa, who has played just two complete seasons in his career, and none since 2019. His last season with double-digit sacks came in 2021, when he had 10.5. In the four seasons since, he has 19.0 total sacks.
Last year, in his lone season in Buffalo, Bosa played and started 15 games, totaling 29 tackles (nine for loss), 5.0 sacks, 16 QB hits, a league-leading five forced fumbles, and two pass breakups.
In 122 career games, Bosa has 372 tackles (96 for loss), 77.0 sacks, 172 QB hits, 22 forced fumbles, four fumbles recovered, and five pass breakups.
When it comes to the Colts, they've been attempting to address the other starting edge spot opposite Laiatu Latu throughout the offseason.
In March, the Colts attempted to sign free-agent pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who had consecutive seasons with 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024. However, the Baltimore Ravens dissolved their initial trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for star edge Maxx Crosby and instead signed Hendrickson.
It was a bizarre situation, and one that left the Colts on the outside without a new stud pass rusher.
Key vs. Tuimoloau is a fine battle between players competing for the top rotational edge spot, but it lacks luster being for a starting position.
Tuimoloau was a second-round pick by the Colts in 2025, but he played in just 215 defensive snaps as a rookie as he struggled to unseat some of the veterans on the team for playing time.
Key is 30 years old, entering his ninth season. He has a career-high of 6.5 sacks, has only been a full-time starter in one season, and has spent four seasons playing less than 50% of his team's defensive snaps, and 59.4% last year. Again, those figures are more indicative of a player providing juice off the bench; not being a starter.
