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49ers Pursue Joey Bosa on One-Year Deal

5/19/2026

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Summary

Joey Bosa Signing

The 49ers are exploring a one-year signing of free-agent defensive end Joey Bosa.
Bosa posted five sacks, five forced fumbles (league-leading) and 42 pressures for the Bills in 2025.
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen says Bosa fits Raheem Morris’s scheme and would add depth to a rush that ranked last in pressure rate and sacks.
One-year deal gives 49ers low-risk chance while defensive end Nick Bosa remains under contract after missing 2025 with injury.

Summary

49ers Add Passrush

San Francisco traded its 92nd-overall pick to Dallas for tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who has 17 sacks.
The team drafted Romello Height at 70th after his 10 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, and kept Mykel Williams, who recorded a sack before an ACL tear.
Bryce Huff retired at 27, ending an $8 million contract after tying for sack lead with four in 2025, leaving a pass-rush gap acquisitions aim to fill.

Summary

Lynch Weighs Bosa

GM John Lynch said in March the 49ers cannot afford Joey Bosa due to salary-cap limits.
Bosa’s asking price has fallen after months unsigned, making a cheaper deal possible.
Veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, with a 92.4% pass-block win rate, is a key free-agent target to replace Spencer Burford.
Lynch said the final decision will balance scheme fit with financial flexibility, weighing line needs against pass-rush upgrades.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the NFL introduced a hard salary cap of $34.6 million, forcing teams to craft one-year, high-impact deals instead of large multi-year contracts. That shift reshaped free-agent markets, a pattern the 49ers now echo as they target pass-rusher Joey Bosa while navigating today’s tighter cap space; many teams adopted short contracts after the cap’s debut.

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Joey Bosa Signing

The 49ers are exploring a one-year signing of free-agent defensive end Joey Bosa.
Bosa posted five sacks, five forced fumbles (league-leading) and 42 pressures for the Bills in 2025.
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen says Bosa fits Raheem Morris’s scheme and would add depth to a rush that ranked last in pressure rate and sacks.
One-year deal gives 49ers low-risk chance while defensive end Nick Bosa remains under contract after missing 2025 with injury.

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