Chargers release five-time Pro Bowl DE Joey Bosa

Joey Bosa’s time with the Los Angeles Chargers has come to an end.

The star pass-rusher was released by the team on Wednesday, ending a nearly decade-long partnership.

Bosa was drafted by the Chargers with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft. He immediately made a name for himself in the NFL, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year after racking up 10.5 sacks and 17 TFLs.

The now 29-year-old set a league record by posting 19 sacks through his first 20 games. He’s made five Pro Bowls throughout his nine-year career, has the 10th most sacks in the NFL since entering the league (72) and ranks second all-time in Chargers franchise history.

Despite his production and availability dwindling with age, Bosa had a bounce-back campaign in 2024-25. He played 14 games, his most since the 2021-22 season, posting five sacks, two forced fumbles and 13 QB hits while being selected to the Pro Bowl.

He was tied with Khalil Mack for first on the Chargers last season for forced fumbles while ranking third for QB hits, fifth for sacks and seventh for TFLs. Through 107 career games with the Charges, Bosa holds totals of 343 tackles, 157 QB hits, 87 TFLs and 17 forced fumbles.

Releasing one of the franchise’s most notable players in recent memory appears to be a financially motivated move for the Chargers. Bosa had a cap number of $36.47 million for the 2025 season, but the Chargers will save $25.36 million in cap space by letting him go.

In the two seasons prior for 2024-25, he played a combined 14 games as he battled hip and back injuries. And despite a return to health last season, his five sacks were the second fewest of his career and the fewest in a season he’s played at least 10 games.

In 2020, he signed a five-year extension worth $135 million that made him the league’s highest-paid defensive player at the time.

Bosa will now be free to sign with any other team.