The NFL training camp clock is ticking, and one of the most decorated pass rushers still on the market appears to be leaning toward retirement. According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, former Ohio State standout Joey Bosa may have already played his final snap in the league.
On a recent episode of his podcast, Schefter dropped a bombshell: “It is more likely than not that Joey Bosa has played his last NFL down.” While he left the door slightly ajar for a mid-season comeback—similar to what Philip Rivers did last year—Schefter emphasized that if Bosa truly wanted to keep playing, a deal would likely already be in place. The most logical landing spot, a reunion with his younger brother Nick on the San Francisco 49ers, hasn't materialized, which speaks volumes.
“I think if the Niners wanted to pair those two together, it probably would have happened already,” Schefter said. “I think if Joey Bosa wanted to play football, it probably would have happened already.”
Injuries have dogged Bosa throughout his career, limiting him to 12 games or fewer in five of his ten seasons. Over the past two years with the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills, he managed 29 games but failed to recapture the dominant form of his early years. From 2016 to 2021, Bosa posted four double-digit sack seasons, earned Rookie of the Year honors, and made four Pro Bowls. But a string of injuries beginning in 2022 has taken a toll, restricting him to just 14 games over two seasons.
At 31 years old when the 2026 season kicks off, Bosa has already amassed an impressive resume. He led the league in forced fumbles last year and has been a five-time Pro Bowler. Short of a Super Bowl ring, he’s accomplished nearly everything a pass rusher could dream of.
The question now is whether Bosa will chase a championship as a complementary piece on a contender or walk away from the game. Given his recent struggles and the lack of buzz around his free agency, the latter seems increasingly likely. For fans who remember his explosive debut, it's a bittersweet end to a career that promised even more.
Meanwhile, the NFL world continues to buzz with other storylines, including Jackson State hiring ESPN's Kendrick Perkins as general manager, a move that has sparked plenty of debate. But for now, the focus remains on Bosa and whether he'll ever suit up again.
