Free agent defensive end Joey Bosa, a former third-overall NFL Draft pick, is reportedly on the verge of retirement at 30 years old. Bosa has remained unsigned since playing for the Buffalo Bills in the 2025 season.
ESPN reporter Adam Schefter indicated that it is "more likely than not" that Bosa has played his final NFL down. While Schefter acknowledged that a situation, such as playing alongside his brother Nick Bosa with the San Francisco 49ers, could potentially entice him back, he suggested that such a move is improbable.
"If Joey Bosa wanted to play football, it probably would have happened already," Schefter said on his podcast, implying that Bosa's lack of action in free agency points towards retirement.
Bosa, whose father John Bosa also played in the NFL, followed his brother to Ohio State before entering the professional league. He recorded 10.5 sacks for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021, but his production has decreased in subsequent seasons, with a string of injuries impacting his performance. In 15 games during the 2025 season, Bosa managed five sacks.
His brother, Nick Bosa, recently provided an update on his own status, stating he is on track to recover from knee surgery and expects to be ready for training camp. Nick Bosa reflected on the difficulties of injury, admitting he initially felt like quitting but ultimately found the desire to return to the game.