Chargers handed an extra $25.3 million to the salary cap for releasing LB Joey Bosa

The Los Angeles Chargers have released Joey Bosa saving $25.3 million in cap space which they can now use on signing offensive players.

Chargers handed an extra $25.3 million to the salary cap for releasing LB Joey Bosa

Joey Bosa (Image via IMAGO)

Joey Bosa was among the last of the guards who were part of the Chargers when they moved from San Diego to Los Angeles. However, the 5x Pro Bowl linebacker’s journey finally came to an end on Wednesday as the Chargers released him from the team.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chargers released Bosa. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that Bosa was due a $12.36 million roster bonus next Wednesday (before the trade deadline).

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Bosa was close to leaving the Chargers last year but stuck around to play under Jim Harbaugh. He took a pay cut, which trimmed down his income from $22 million to $15 million and four million in sack incentives. 

The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov reported that by releasing Bosa, the Chargers saved an additional $25.3M in salary cap space.

Injuries limited the 29-year-old’s time on the field. He appeared in 14 games, recording 22 tackles, 5 sacks, and two pass deflections before the season ended.

Should the 49ers unite Joey Bosa with Nick Bosa?

The departure of Joey Bosa was being speculated as early as February. The Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora predicted the Chargers moving on from Bosa and further reported that many teams could be interested in his services. One of them was the San Francisco 49ers, where his brother and All-Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa plays.

Chargers handed an extra $25.3 million to the salary cap for releasing LB Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa (Image via IMAGO)

Their mother, Cheryl Bosa, even urged the Niners to sign her older son when the news first began circulating. Even Joey has mentioned his desire to play with Nick if the chance ever presented itself.

It’d be cool at some point. I always thought of myself as somebody that will play here and retire here, which I think not many people do on one team and I think would be a cool thing to accomplish, but you never know. I’m going to worry about this year first.

Joey Bosa told ESPN in an interview

If there was ever a time to make it happen for the 49ers, this is it. They have cleared additional space through the trade of Deebo Samuel to Washington and the release of De’Vondre Campbell. More importantly, it’s becoming increasingly likely that Dre Greenlaw might not come back, which should provide the 49ers with enough money to add Joey Bosa to the team.

However, Bosa has regressed over the years. His injury woes combined with loss of pace may rub the Niners the wrong way. If that happens, then there are plenty of other teams that can take a chance with Bosa. If the Cleveland Browns do end up losing Myles Garrett, then perhaps they can sign Bosa or even the Detroit Lions could pair the former Ohio State graduate with Aidan Hutchinson in the heart of their pass rush.