The San Francisco 49ers will look to improve their pass rush in the 2026 NFL season. Moreover, it will be important for the Niners to have depth at the edge position to ensure that they aren’t relying on one or two players to get to the QB.
As a result, there’s speculation that the 49ers could be a landing spot for veteran Joey Bosa, who spent last season with the Buffalo Bills. Bosa had 17 solo tackles, 12 assists, and 5.0 sacks in 15 games in 2025 for Buffalo, per StatMuse.
San Francisco could use that production from the older Bosa, Grant Cohn, who covers the 49ers for On SI, says that he doesn’t fit the profile that defensive coordinator Raheem Morris wants.
“I just don’t think the 49ers are interested in Joey Bosa,” Cohn said on March 24 on his YouTube channel. “Maybe Nick is. Maybe Cheryl Bosa is interested in this, you know, teaming together. I just don’t see why Raheem Morris would want it. Seems like what Raheem Morris is looking for is a very specific type of player, an outside linebacker. That is not Joey Bosa.
“The way Raheem Morris usually coaches his defense, I’m not a Raheem Morris expert, but I’ve followed him when he was in the NFC West with the Rams. He was a head coach. He wants guys on the edge who can drop into coverage. That’s a necessary skill; it’s part of his scheme when he’s calling coverages and blitzes.
“He wants guys on the edge who can drop into coverage, not once a season but two or three times a game. He already has one edge guy who can’t do that in Nick Bosa.”
49ers Insider Shares His Thoughts on Joey Bosa Speculation
While Nick Bosa will return healthy for the upcoming season, the 49ers can’t put all their hopes of rushing the quarterback on him. Thus, speculation about another Bosa on the defensive line is emerging.
Recently, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco shared his thoughts on the potential move for the Niners to add another pass rusher, noting that it makes sense.
“[The] 49ers still have a little bit of money to be able to add an edge rusher,” Maiocco said in a March 14 video from his YouTube channel. “I would think the guy at the top of the list is Joey Bosa… To me, Joey Bosa makes sense. I do not think he is going to be as costly as he was a year ago, when he accounted for about $13 million for the one season with the Buffalo Bills.
“Joey Bosa turns 31 in July. He started 15 games for Buffalo last year and played 64 percent of the snaps. He had five sacks and five forced fumbles. So he can still play. The question is whether he is an every-down player at this stage in his career. He pretty much was with the Buffalo Bills.”
Joey Bosa to the Niners Makes Sense
Moreover, when it comes to the reality of signing Joey, Maiocco believes that San Francisco can put together an offer that would entice the veteran pass rusher to team up with his younger brother in the Bay Area.
“I think where the 49ers are, it certainly would not surprise me if they’re able to put together a competitive offer to bring in Joey Bosa,” Maiocco added. “… I think Joey Bosa is the best guy out there, and what the market is for him remains to be seen. Certainly, teams are interested. I would think multiple teams would be interested in adding him, just as they were a year ago.
“This year, it just seems to make a little bit more sense for the 49ers than it did a year ago. I think when you look at what they’ve done in free agency, a lot of these guys are one-year deals… It does make sense from a depth standpoint for the 49ers to bring in a quality edge rusher. I think it really is a possibility that the 49ers could have this Bosa-Bosa defensive line.”
49ers Land Strong Reality Check Over Joey Bosa Speculation