Nick Bosa’s brother Joey Bosa could retire following no team interest in free agency market

After several reporters and analysts predicted Buffalo Bills dynamite defensive end Joey Bosa for several NFL teams, and mainly the San Francisco 49ers,it has come to notice that he may retire rather than return to the gridiron for the upcoming 2026 NFL season.ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said, “It is more likely than not that Joey Bosa has played his last NFL down.”

Buffalo Bills DE and Nick Bosa’s older brother Joey Bosa is projected to retire at 30 after no free agency signing

NFL Insider Adam Schefter further said that Joey Bosa may not sign with any NFL team before Week 1 of the 2026 season.“Could a situation like the [San Francisco] 49ers come along that entices him enough to come out and play again? Yeah, absolutely!We saw it happen last year with [Indianapolis Colts QB] Philip Rivers, so you never know when a player is fully done and when he’s not done.But the fact of the matter is, I think if the Niners wanted to pair those two together, it probably would have happened already.I think if Joey Bosa wanted to play football, it would have happened already,” Adam Schefter said.The Buffalo Bills pass rusher was linked to several teams, like the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, and Seattle Seahawks, but none of those connections came to fruition.Despite having impeccable numbers throughout his 10-year-old NFL career, he remains a free agent in the 2026 offseason.

The 30-year-old defensive end recorded 372 total tackles [269 solo, 103 assisted], 77.0 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, 4 passes defended, and 4 fumble recoveries in 122 NFL games.In the 2025 NFL season, Joey Bosa recorded 29 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 passes defended in 15 NFL games.

Cheryl Bosa wanted Joey Bosa and Nick Bosa to play for San Francisco 49ers

Even Joey Bosa and Nick Bosa’s mother, Cheryl Bosa, once posted a photo on her Instagram Story: two brothers clad in San Francisco 49ers gear.She would have wanted her sons to represent one team and not separate teams. Something that Donna Kelce once had to face:Her two popular NFL sons – Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce – faced each other four times on the gridiron.Brothers who grew up playing together had to play on opposing teams. And their dear mother?She resorted to wearing a jacket with half the Philadelphia Eagles jersey [Jason Kelce’s team] and half the Kansas City Chiefs jersey [Travis Kelce’s team].But, but, but. Who is paying heed? Now that the NFL Insider has said it. Now that there’s nothing happening in the San Francisco 49ers universe.Now that the Bosa brothers may not wear the same uniform. Now that former Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa is predicted to retire…We still have 74 days until the 2026 NFL season begins! Let’s hold our breaths…for the Bosa Brothers’ reunion…

When does age catch up to NFL players?

Bleacher Report’s Ty Schalter reported in June 2018 that some players seem to turn from stars to has-beens overnight, while some walk away from the game with their powers intact.But when does the age catch up to NFL players? In particular, defensive linemen [now that we have Joey Bosa’s return/retirement in question].Bleacher Report’s Ty Schlater reports that a defensive lineman’s seventh year in the NFL marks the line. After that, his time is very, very short.There is a significant drop-off in the number of qualifying starters from Year 7 to Year 8 and from Year 9 to Year 10.The decline flattens for a while, as the best defensive linemen can stick around a very long time. But the quick development, long plateau, and quick decline are obvious.Joey Bosa has played for 10 long NFL seasons… Is his retirement almost here? Only time will tell…