​Joey Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers have found themselves at the center of speculation this offseason as a potential matchup of fits for both sides. Bosa, who is well into his career, may be weighing a move to a contender, while the Niners are looking to bolster their pass rush after a season that saw them rack up 20 team sacks. The hope in San Francisco is that Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams can return from injury, and that the additions of Osa Odighizuwa via trade and Romello Height in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft will help push the team’s sack total higher.
The elder Bosa could be the perfect veteran fit for San Francisco, adding experience and production to their front seven. Yet Wynston Wilcox of FanSided argues that the veteran edge could be a better fit for Chicago as training camp nears. In a July 12 piece, Wilcox suggested the Bears have been quiet about addressing arguably their biggest offseason need, signaling that a bold, splash move could be on the horizon before Week 1. According to Wilcox, Bosa’s age and documented injury history complicate the equation, but his potential impact would fill a sizeable void in Chicago. “Last season with the Buffalo Bills, Bosa finished with five sacks and five forced fumbles,” Wilcox noted. “He can still be a steady contributor, which is exactly why Chicago needs to add him before someone else does.”
Still, Wilcox acknowledged that multiple teams could have interest, including San Francisco, Seattle, and Detroit. For the Bears, Bosa would slot in as the No. 2 pass rusher behind Montez Sweat, who still has some juice but could benefit from a reliable running mate. In Wilcox’s view, Bosa would serve as an ideal short-term upgrade, giving Chicago a sturdier defense and a more credible claim to contention in the NFC. “The Bears get an improvement on defense while also looking like a team that could contend with the rest of the NFC. Chicago’s biggest problem last year was not generating enough pressure on the defensive line,” Wilcox wrote.
In terms of on-field output from the 2025 season, Bosa’s tenure with the Bills featured him playing 563 snaps and earning a 79.3 overall PFF defensive grade. He totaled 47 pressures as a pass rusher, including five sacks, 30 hurries, and 12 hits. Against the run, he logged 22 solo tackles and forced five fumbles. More recently, speculation intensified as NFL insider Adam Schefter suggested Bosa might be leaning toward retirement. However, Grant Cohn, the Niners beat reporter for SI, viewed that report as more of a negotiating tactic than a real retirement consideration, arguing that the timing could be strategic as teams navigate contract talks and training camp dynamics.
The situation remains fluid, with several possible outcomes on the horizon. If Bosa remains in the mix, the 49ers would likely lean on a combination of their returning edge talent and newly added players to bolster their sack totals. If he shifts to Chicago or another destination, the Bears’ defense would be counting on a veteran presence to stabilize the front and provide a quicker avenue to pressure opposing quarterbacks, potentially altering the balance of power across the NFC.
As the offseason unfolds, teams will continue to weigh fit, longevity, and value against the market’s evolving price tags. For now, both San Francisco and Chicago—along with other interested teams—are evaluating the best path forward to maximize pass-rush impact in a conference that prizes quarterback pressure and disruptive defense.