This offseason, the San Francisco 49ers have made a few major moves to improve the team on both offense and defense.
Mike Evans, Osa Odighizuwa, and Dre Greenlaw lead the 49ers’ free agent and trade group from the offseason. But, even after those great moves, the 49ers still have a big need at defensive end.
That’s why Saad Yousuf of The Athletic named the 49ers as the best free agent fit for former Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers 77-sack defensive end, and brother of Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa.
49ers named best FA fit for Joey Bosa
“This isn’t just about the fact that Bosa’s brother, Nick, is one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL and locked in long term with the 49ers, although that doesn’t hurt,” Yousuf writes. “Bosa had a bit of a resurgence last year in Buffalo, playing in 15 games, his most since 2021. He also made an impact, tallying five sacks and leading the league with five forced fumbles.”
The 49ers going out and adding Bosa to pair with his brother along the defensive line in San Francisco is a fun story. But, more importantly, it would be a smart move.
John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan know they need more pass rusher help this offseason, as their group last year was a major disappointment.
The 49ers defense, as a whole, recorded just 20 sacks, the worst mark in the league, and three fewer sacks than Myles Garrett had on his own.
While Bosa’s five sacks aren’t some incredible number that would be game-changing for the 49ers, it would’ve led the team last season, and paired with the return of his brother from injury, they could form a good pass rusher duo in 2026.
More: 49ers sign Mike Evans away from Buccaneers after 12 years
Bosa had five sacks last season for the Bills, reaching 77 for his NFL career. He has 22 forced fumbles, five of which came in 2025. Bosa is a five-time Pro Bowler, and the 15 games last year are the most he has played since the 2021 season with the Chargers.
The 49ers need help at edge rusher, and Bosa is arguably the best one available this offseason. Pairing brothers along the same defensive line is a fun storyline and also makes sense from a schematic and competitive perspective.
Yousuf named the 49ers the best fit for Bosa in free agency, and it’s a fit that makes too much sense not to happen. This would be a great signing for the 49ers, as this might be one of the best free agent fits left in the NFL.
