The Miami Dolphins were a disappointment in the 2024 NFL season despite having big-name talent on both offense and defense. They suffered their first losing season (8-9) since 2019 and failed to make the playoffs for the first time in three years.
Miami is now reportedly looking to bolster its defense with five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa, who was released by the Los Angeles Chargers just before the start of free agency.
Dolphins Reportedly Pursuing Joey Bosa in NFL Free Agency
Bosa leaves the Chargers after nine seasons, having recorded 72 career sacks in 107 games. His 72 sacks rank second in franchise history, trailing only Leslie O’Neal’s 105.5.
At 29, Bosa is expected to draw plenty of interest for 2025 and beyond, and the Dolphins appear to be targeting the veteran to help them return to the playoffs.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Miami has shown interest in Bosa to improve its pass rush, which ranked 27th in the league last season.
“While the idea of playing with his brother Nick in San Francisco appeals to Joey Bosa, he is expected to garner strong interest from the Dolphins, per source. Miami ranked 27th in the league in sacks in 2024,” Russini posted.
While the idea of playing with his brother Nick in San Francisco appeals to Joey Bosa, he is expected to garner strong interest from the Dolphins, per source.
Miami ranked 27th in the league in sacks in 2024. pic.twitter.com/wlRWRaroYo
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2025
Bosa’s mother, Cheryl Bosa, recently took to Instagram to push for a Bosa family reunion in San Francisco. She posted a video collage of Joey and Nick Bosa through the years, from childhood to their NFL careers, with a caption that likely excited San Francisco 49ers fans.
“BREAKING NEWS. Can we get a petition going on bringing @jbbigbear [Joey Bosa] to the Bay? #BosaBrothers,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, Bosa’s father, John Bosa, was a first-round pick by Miami and played four seasons with the Dolphins. While he hasn’t commented on where he’d like Joey to play, a reunion with Nick in San Francisco seems challenging. The 49ers already have one of the league’s best defenses and would need to get creative with the salary cap to bring in Joey alongside Nick.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins ranked 11th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric, and adding Bosa to a unit featuring Jalen Ramsey and Bradley Chubb could boost Miami’s playoff chances — possibly even turn them into Super Bowl contenders if they improve their offense.
However, the Dolphins must navigate Bosa’s contract situation. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggests Bosa could command up to $15 million on a one-year deal, while Miami has just over $25 million in cap space.
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“A lot of the edge rushers come with injury caveats. Los Angeles Chargers castoff Joey Bosa has connections in places such as San Francisco (Nick Bosa/Gus Bradley), Washington (Anthony Lynn), New Orleans (Brandon Staley) and New England (Mike Vrabel), and there’s a thought that he could get close to $15 million on a one-year deal.”
The Dolphins will need to move quickly if they want to sign Bosa, as the 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year may not remain available for long.