Could Joey Bosa end up with the Indianapolis Colts? The Los Angeles Chargers defensive end is “likely” to be released in the coming days or weeks, per a report from ESPN.
The Chargers could save over $25 million by releasing Bosa this offseason. If he is released, several teams will show interest in the former Ohio State Buckeye. However, the Colts need to stay out of the Joey Bosa Sweepstakes.
The Indianapolis Colts Need to Avoid Signing Defensive End Joey Bosa
His Career Thus Far
Joey Bosa had a spectacular collegiate career at Ohio State. During his three seasons there, he helped the Buckeyes win a national championship and took home several honors, including Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
The San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers selected Bosa third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was one of five Ohio State players to be drafted in the first round that year. Ezekiel Elliott, Eli Apple, Taylor Decker, and Darron Lee were the other four.
Joey Bosa finished his rookie season with 41 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Despite missing four games due to injury, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Bosa had an impressive sophomore year as well. Recording 70 tackles and 12.5 sacks (seventh in the league), he was named to his first career Pro Bowl.
Due to a foot injury, Bosa played only seven games during the 2018 campaign. He recorded 23 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits, and a fumble recovery. Bosa made his playoff debut against the Baltimore Ravens. He had a sack, two tackles, and a quarterback hit in the Chargers’ 23–17 victory. The Chargers, though, would later lose 41-28 to the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.
During the 2020 offseason, Joey Bosa signed a five-year, $135 million contract extension with the Chargers. The deal made him the league’s highest-paid defensive player.
After playing 16 games in 2021, Bosa played a combined 14 contests in the following two seasons. He played 14 games last season, starting nine of those contests. He produced 22 tackles and five sacks.
Why the Colts Shouldn’t Sign Him
Drake Wally of SI.com wrote an article about the Colts signing Joey Bosa. He pointed out that Bosa used to be a dominant pass rusher, but has fallen off over the past few years:
“Bosa used to be one of the most terrifying edge rushers the league had and showed it through his five Pro Bowls and 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year award,” wrote Wally. “However, he’s fallen off the path in recent years. Bosa’s last 10+ sack season was 2021 (10.5). Since then, he’s accumulated only 14 in the last three years. For the Colts, this is a signing they need to avoid.”
You have to agree with Wally if you’re a Colts fan. A five-time Pro Bowler, Joey Bosa was easily one of the league’s top defensive players years ago. But after missing 23 games due to injuries across the last three seasons, it would be too risky for the Colts to sign him if the Chargers release him. Indianapolis needs to focus on their young defensive end Laiatu Latu and help him develop into an NFL sack machine.
Main Photo: Thomas Shea – Imagn Images
