The Los Angeles Chargers made a major roster move on Wednesday night, releasing veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa in a decision that signals a new era for the franchise. The move saves the team roughly $25 million in cap space for the 2025 season, but it also puts one of the league’s premier defensive players on the open market just days before the start of free agency.
While teams across the league are likely to show interest in the five-time Pro Bowler, Bosa’s biggest advocate—his mother, Cheryl—already has a destination in mind. Shortly after news of his release broke, Cheryl Bosa took to Instagram to express her hope that Joey will join his younger brother, Nick Bosa, on the San Francisco 49ers.
A Long-Standing Dream for the Bosa Family
This isn’t the first time Cheryl has entertained the idea of her two sons playing together in the NFL. Back in February, she posted an edited photo of Joey and Nick in matching 49ers uniforms, sparking speculation that she would love to see the two reunite on the field.
The last time the Bosa brothers were teammates was over a decade ago at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they starred on the varsity football team. Both then played for Ohio State before becoming first-round draft picks—Joey to the Chargers in 2016 and Nick to the 49ers in 2019.
Since entering the league, the two have frequently discussed the possibility of teaming up as professionals. Nick Bosa, during a March 2023 appearance on The Richard Sherman Podcast, suggested that the combination of both Bosa brothers on the same defense could be game-breaking.
“I think Joey definitely is looking good financially,” Nick joked at the time. “But if he was on the other side, it might break the NFL.”
The idea gained even more traction in June 2024 when Joey, amid trade rumors involving the Chargers, admitted to ESPN that he and Nick had openly talked about the potential of playing together in the future.
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A Realistic Opportunity for a Brotherly Reunion?
Now, with Joey officially a free agent, this could be the best chance yet for the dream to become a reality. The 2025 NFL league year and free agency signing period officially begin on March 12, though teams are allowed to negotiate with unrestricted free agents starting March 10.
The 49ers could certainly benefit from adding another elite pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa, but whether the team has the cap space or interest in pursuing Joey remains to be seen. San Francisco already has significant financial commitments to several star players, including Nick himself, who signed a record-breaking five-year, $170 million contract extension in 2023.
Still, the idea of the Bosa brothers terrorizing opposing quarterbacks together in San Francisco is an enticing one—not just for their family, but for 49ers fans dreaming of an even more dominant defense.
With free agency fast approaching, the NFL world will be watching to see if Joey Bosa’s next chapter includes a long-awaited family reunion on the field.
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