2025 Bengals Free Company Preview: Joey Bosa

To say that the 2025 Bengals line of defense is in flux is an understatement. Sam Hubbard has declared his retirement after seven seasons in Cincinnati, whereas All-Professional Trey Hendrickson has been given permission to hunt a commerce by the workforce.

No matter whether or not Hendrickson stays with the Bengals for 2025 and past, Cincinnati must make heavy investments in each free company and the draft at positions on the defensive entrance. Myles Murphy, Cedric Johnson, and Joseph Ossai have flashed promise, however the positional cabinet must be restocked with expertise.

There are a few short-term veteran choices getting into the free-agent market that might present stability alongside the youthful gamers at the moment on the road, in addition to others who could also be drafted. We’ve talked about Chase Younger, however one other former Ohio State Buckeye and excessive choose may additionally pique curiosity.

Joey Bosa was lately launched by the Chargers after 9 seasons with the membership. An enormous 2025 cap hit was looming, and he wasn’t the identical participant the NFL world knew throughout his first handful of professional seasons.

He earned Professional Bowl honors final 12 months, though the numbers weren’t gaudy. Nonetheless, a brand new setting and a return to Ohio might spark a renaissance.

Joey Bosa

Top: 6-foot-5

Weight: 280

Age: 29 (Turns 30 in July)

Years Professional: Getting into tenth season

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Faculty: Ohio State
RAS:

Background

Bosa was a dual-sport athlete in highschool and was ranked as a four-star recruit in his class (the fourth-rated defensive finish in 2012). He comes from an NFL lineage, together with his father, John, being a former professional and his brother, Nick, being among the best pass-rushers within the league. He’s additionally the cousin of Jake Kumerow, who had a flash-in-the-pan stint with the Bengals again in 2015-2016.

Bosa earned a variety of school accolades by the point his collegiate profession ended and finally grew to become the No. 3 total choice within the 2016 NFL Draft by the then-San Diego Chargers. He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr honors after the 2016 season and has been chosen to 5 Professional Bowls.

Bosa was a dominant participant from 2016 to 2021, racking up 4 double-digit sack seasons in six years. Nevertheless, accidents took their toll and precipitated him to overlook 24 whole video games over the past three seasons (together with the postseason).

The Chargers launched Bosa earlier than the onset of the 2025 free company interval to avoid wasting cap house and permit him ample time to check the free agent market. Whereas accidents and age are issues, he did play in 14 video games in 2024, after enjoying in solely 14 whole video games over the previous two seasons.

Strengths and Weaknesses

When Bosa is on, he’s a game-wrecker. He has good measurement, energy, and a repertoire of pass-rushing strikes that make him an efficient edge defender. He has additionally performed in each four-man entrance and 3-4 schemes with out a lot of a hitch, and he’s even kicked inside on five-man fronts, making him versatile.

Bosa has primarily performed on the left facet, which is at the moment vacant on the Bengals’ roster attributable to Hubbard’s retirement. He has all the time performed with a excessive degree of tenacity, which is extremely fascinating within the AFC North.

The previous Buckeye additionally has a observe file of success towards elite groups and quarterbacks. He’s amassed sacks towards Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and lots of others. This isn’t a precise metric by any means, however it’s a notable feather in his cap.

He’s hit-and-miss within the run recreation, however his 15 extra tackles for loss over sacks in his profession counsel that he’ll contribute right here and there. This isn’t the largest concern, although.

After all, his age and up to date harm historical past must be accounted for. Groups will closely monitor this as they court docket him in free company.

Outlook

The 49ers look like the front-runners for Bosa’s providers, on condition that his brother performs there. Nonetheless, the Bengals must be within the combine, contemplating their dire state of affairs at defensive finish and his Ohio State/Joe Burrow connection.

Whereas it was largely in the course of the Marvin Lewis period, the Bengals have proven a historic proclivity towards reclamation initiatives. Former excessive picks who haven’t met their potential and/or gamers with off-field issues have seen various levels of success after the Bengals took an opportunity on them.

Bosa has met expectations as a former No. 3 choose, nevertheless it has been a couple of years since we’ve seen the down-in, down-out dominance from him. Cincinnati will possible be investing loads of assets into free company and the draft to enhance their protection, notably with new defensive coordinator Al Golden within the fold. So, whilst a rotational piece, Bosa could be useful.

Nevertheless, if the Bengals have been to strike a deal, it could should be one thing they’re very comfy with. In idea, though Bosa largely performs the alternative edge spot from Hendrickson, it could appear counterintuitive to supply a profitable deal to Bosa if the Bengals are balking at a giant deal for Hendrickson. Subsequently, the construction of the deal would want to make loads of sense.

Nonetheless, whether it is “overhaul time” on the Bengals’ line of defense, gamers like Bosa and/or Younger to complement a brand new crop of draft picks could possibly be a suitable comfort prize, particularly with Hubbard retired and Hendrickson’s standing up within the air.