Los Angeles Chargers Sack Joey Bosa And His Bloated Contract

The Los Angeles Chargers and edge rusher Joey Bosa have parted ways.

Bosa’s cumbersome contract, which carried a $36.4 million hit against this season’s salary cap, was too rich for L.A.

The Chargers save about $25.3 million with his release, according to Spotrac, as it marks the end of Bosa’s star-crossed, nine-year run with the Chargers.

Bosa, a five-time Pro Bowler, exits with 72 career sacks, second only to Leslie O’Neal (105.5), in franchise history.

Few Chargers had as an immediate impact like Bosa, the third overall pick of the 2006 draft, when he collected 19 sacks in his opening 20 career games.

His decorated stint included four Pro Bowl selections in his first six seasons and he was named the NFL defensive player of the year in ’06.

Bosa’s domination led to the Chargers redoing his rookie contract with a five-year, $135 million extension in 2020, which came with $102 million guaranteed.

But various injuries derailed Bosa’s production the past three years as he played in just 28 games with 14 sacks. He took a pay cut to remain a Charger in ‘24, before being let go prior to this year’s free agency period.

The departure of Bosa, the final player with a link to San Diego, gives the Chargers about $91 million in cap space as they turn their attention elsewhere.

Linebacker Khalil Mack and the Chargers have said they want to stay together, but Mack, a pending free agent, will be an attractive target among available players.