The San Francisco 49ers continue to explore ways to bolster their pass rush, and The Athletic's Saad Yousuf believes Joey Bosa could be a strong fit for the Bay Area team. The speculation isn't new—and it likely won't be the last time Bosa's name comes up in 49ers discussions.
San Francisco finished last season with just 20 sacks, the fewest in the NFL. Their star edge rusher, Nick Bosa—Joey Bosa's brother—is coming off his third ACL injury and second since entering the NFL.
The 49ers also invested a first-round pick on defensive lineman Mykel Williams, who suffered an ACL injury last season. Add to that the abrupt offseason retirement of Bryce Huff, and the team's need for consistent pass-rushing talent is clear.
Is Joey Bosa the answer, though? At 30 years old, he hasn't recorded double-digit sacks since 2021, and his role may now be situational. Still, the veteran showed flashes of impact during his 2025 season with the Buffalo Bills.
"This isn't just about the fact that Bosa's brother, Nick, is one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL and locked in long term with the 49ers, although that doesn't hurt," Yousuf wrote. "Bosa had a bit of a resurgence last year in Buffalo, playing in 15 games, his most since 2021. He also made an impact, tallying five sacks and leading the league with five forced fumbles."
Bosa has totaled 77 sacks over his 10 NFL seasons, but has recorded just five in each of his last two campaigns. Paired with his brother Nick, though, the Bosa brothers could push each other to a higher level on the 49ers' defensive front.
Jauan Jennings to Buffalo?
Yousuf also sees the Buffalo Bills as a potential landing spot for former 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who remains available longer than most expected.
"Trading for D.J. Moore gives the Bills an upgrade at wide receiver," Yousuf wrote. "Considering what the situation was like before the trade, it's not really saying much. Moore will certainly help Josh Allen, but the front office's job is not complete. Jennings is another reliable target who has played well in his first five NFL seasons in San Francisco. Neither he nor Moore is expected to be a legit No. 1 type of receiver, but having two players at that level could help bring the best out of each of them."
Meanwhile, the 49ers' wide receiver room has undergone changes. With Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk on the way out, and Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore gone, San Francisco added veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk as pass-catching weapons for quarterback Brock Purdy.
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