Joey Bosa Takes Pay Cut to Stay with Chargers Amid Speculation
Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa has decided to remain with the team this season, despite a whirlwind of offseason trade rumors and salary cap concerns. Bosa had two years left on a five-year, $135 million contract extension signed in 2020. However, he opted to restructure his deal in March, taking a pay cut to stay with the Chargers.
Restructured Contract and Financial Terms
Given the salary cap issues, Bosa was viewed as a potential cut or trade candidate. By adjusting his contract, Bosa ensured himself an $8 million guaranteed base salary for this season. However, there is no guaranteed money for Bosa in 2025. This year might mark Bosa's final season in Los Angeles, but he emphasized his desire to remain with the Chargers. Bosa expressed interest in playing for one team throughout his career, stating, "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 would be a cool thing to accomplish, but you never know. I'm going to worry about this year first."
Commitment to Winning
Bosa's primary focus now is on winning games and contributing to the team's success. "Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money," Bosa said. He is also eager to continue playing alongside teammate Khalil Mack. "I want to win. I want to be on this team. I want another shot with the guys in this room, especially Khalil [Mack]," Bosa emphasized.
Bosa's attitude and actions demonstrate his priorities as he looks forward to the upcoming season. Fans and teammates will be watching closely, hopeful that Bosa can help lead the team to victory. "So I think we have a great opportunity here, and who knows, maybe I'll have a great year this year, and then things can change down the road," Bosa remarked.
Injury History and Recovery
The past two seasons have been challenging for Bosa due to various injuries. He missed significant time with hamstring, foot, and toe injuries, culminating in his 2022 season being cut short after spraining his foot in Week 11. Bosa's injury recovery also included offseason surgery on his finger for a separate injury. Despite these setbacks, Bosa is feeling optimistic about his physical condition going into this year. "My foot's feeling great. Toe's good. The hamstring's good. I mean, there was a list of things last year, my hand, so all those things are good," he said.
Bosa's confidence in both his body and performance is evident. "It's nice to be feeling better going into year nine than you have since maybe five, six years ago," he shared. "I've said I've been feeling great the last couple years. It's the real deal this time, but obviously anything can happen. It's fun feeling really confident in your body and being able to perform."
Looking Forward to Training Camp
Bosa is eager to participate in training camp and has his eyes set on matchups against rookie Joe Alt. "I'm going to need to beat him up a little bit in camp so he's ready," Bosa playfully noted. "We'll see in a few weeks, when I lay a helmet on his chin, how he holds up."
Last season, Bosa demonstrated his capabilities with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in a Week 9 win over the Jets. His leadership and skillset will be pivotal for the Chargers this year, and his decision to take a pay cut underscores his commitment to the team. "Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money," Bosa stressed again.
As the Chargers prepare for the season ahead, they will rely on Bosa's experience and talent to guide them. Fans and teammates are hopeful that Bosa can stay healthy and help lead the team to success. "I want to win. I want to be on this team," he reiterated, highlighting his dedication and passion for the game.