The Buffalo Bills made a splash by turning to Joey Bosa to fill their pass-rush needs, agreeing with him on a one-year, $12.6 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday night.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agreement will not be official until the NFL’s new business year begins on Wednesday afternoon. ESPN.com initially reported the deal.
Bosa joins the Bills after the team cut Von Miller on Sunday to free up salary-cap space.
Bosa was the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year after being selected by the Chargers with the No. 3 pick out of Ohio State in the 2016 draft. He played nine seasons with the organization prior to being released late last week, also a salary-cap casualty.
At 29 years-of-age, Bosa is a full six years younger than Miller, though his production has tapered off because of a variety of injuries. Bosa’s 72 sacks are tied for 10th most since he came into the league in 2016, but he has combined for only 14 over the past three seasons.
He appeared in 14 out of 17 games with nine starts last in 2024, after agreeing to restructure his contract. But Bosa fought through hip and back injuries, and his handful of sacks were his fewest in the six seasons during which he has played at least 12 games.
Embed from Getty ImagesBosa played 14 games combined in 2022 and ’23 due to a groin pull and foot injuries.
Bosa should occupy a starting spot opposite Greg Rousseau, who got to the quarterback eight times last season, which was a team high. Rousseau is entering his fifth season and last week inked a four-year, $80 million extension that locks him in through the 2028 campaign.
The five-time defending AFC East champions also brought back edge rusher A.J. Epenesa.
Buffalo moved on from Miller after three rollercoaster seasons because his inflated salary did not match his dip in production. The NFL’s active leader in sacks was limited to only six sacks last year and had none in 2023 in being slowed to a snail’s place after having surgery to repair a right knee injury sustained in November 2022 against the Detroit Lions.
Buffalo finished 18th in the NFL with 39 sacks last season, a significant drop off, down from 54 in 2023. The Bills’ defense does not often blitz, instead relying on their four-man front to apply pressure.
Bosa is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and has eclipsed 10 sacks four times in his career, most recently with 10 ½ in 2021. He had a career-best 12 ½ sacks in 2017.
For his career, Bosa has totaled 343 tackles, 157 quarterback hits, 87 tackles for loss, 17 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries in 107 regular-season games. His 72 career sacks rank second in Chargers history, behind only Leslie O’Neal (105.5).
