The 49ers have a leg up on the competition in the free-agency rush for Joey Bosa.
San Francisco — where Nick has spent his entire NFL career as a defensive end — is an option for Joey after the veteran pass rusher was cut by the Chargers after a nine-year run on Thursday, according to NFL Network.
Their mom, Cheryl Bosa, was all for a brothers takeover in the Bay after not playing together since high school.
Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa could end up on the same NFL team if the 49ers explore Joey as an option in free agency. Instagram/Cheryl Bosa
Taking to her Instagram Story on Thursday, Cheryl reposted a fan-made video that said, “Can we get a petition going on bringing [Joey Bosa] to the Bay.”
Cheryl was tagged in the video, which showed photos of Nick, now 27, and Joey, now 29, through the years.
Cheryl Bosa and her son Joey Bosa. Instagram/Cheryl Bosa
The brothers never got the chance to play alongside each other at Ohio State, as Joey left for the NFL after three years, before Nick’s freshman season for the Buckeyes in 2016.
Joey was a senior and Nick was a freshman at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale when they played together in 2012.
Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers (left) with brother Joey Bosa of the Chargers during the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge at Nicholson Fieldhouse on January 30, 2025. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) looks on in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on January 5, 2025. Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Joey’s release saved the Chargers $25.36 million in cap space.
“Could not be prouder than my son, Joey,” Cheryl wrote on her Instagram Story, including a “Thank you” message posted by the Chargers.
Joey Bosa’s mom reacted to the Chargers releasing the veteran pass rusher after nine seasons on Thursday, March 5, 2025. Instagram/Cheryl Bosa
Joey — a five-time Pro Bowler and the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 — was plagued with injuries after signing a five-year, $135 million contract extension with Los Angeles in 2020.
In 2024, he played 14 games — the most since 2021 — with five sacks and was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl.
Considered one of the best ever Chargers, Joey ranks second in franchise history for his 72 career sacks behind Leslie O’Neal (105.5).
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Houston. AP
Joey spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Chargers after selecting him with the third overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The second overall pick by the 49ers in the 2019 NFL Draft, Nick went on to earn five Pro Bowl nods and a first-team All Pro selection in 2022.
Nick was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and Defensive Player if the Year in 2022.
As of Thursday, Joey, in his first NFL free agency, hasn’t said where he’d prefer to take his talents.
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Joey Bosa (97) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first quarter in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Earlier this offseason, Nick discussed the potential of teaming up with his older brother.
“It’d be cool at some point,” Nick told ESPN last June. “I always thought of myself being somebody that will play here and retire here, which I think not many people do on one team, and I think it would be a cool thing to accomplish, but you never know.”
The year prior, Nick said “it will break the NFL” if the brothers’ played on the same team during an appearance on “The Richard Sherman Podcast.”
