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, who had two years remaining on a five-year, $135 million contract extension signed in 2020, opted to restructure his deal in March, taking a pay cut to stay with the Chargers.
Commitment to the Chargers
Given the salary cap issues, Bosa was viewed as a potential cut or trade candidate. However, in a display of loyalty and commitment, Bosa adjusted his contract, ensuring an $8 million guaranteed base salary for this season. Interestingly, there is no guaranteed money for Bosa in 2025, potentially marking this year as his final season in Los Angeles.
Despite the financial adjustments, Bosa emphasized his desire to stay with the Chargers, expressing interest in playing for one team throughout his entire career. "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," Bosa remarked.
Focus on Winning
Bosa's primary focus now is on winning games. He expressed a strong desire to contribute to the team's success and to play alongside his teammate Khalil Mack. "Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money," Bosa stated, emphasizing his dedication to the current squad. "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's attitude demonstrates his priorities as he looks forward to the upcoming season. "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," he added.
Injury Struggles and Recovery
The past two seasons have been challenging for Bosa, who has played just 14 games due to various injuries. He missed significant time with hamstring, foot, and toe injuries. His 2022 season was notably cut short after spraining his foot in Week 11, leading to tears as he left the field. Despite attempting a comeback, Bosa sprained another part of his foot in practice, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Fortunately, Bosa avoided surgery on his foot. However, he did undergo offseason surgery on his finger for a separate injury. Now, the linebacker is feeling optimistic about his physical condition. "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," Bosa reported.
Looking Forward to the Season
Bosa feels better going into this year than he has in past years, and he is confident in both his body and performance. "It's nice to be feeling better going into year nine than you have since maybe five, six years ago," he mentioned. "I've said I've been feeling great the last couple years. It's the real deal this time, but obviously anything can happen, but it's fun, feeling really confident in your body and being able to perform."
As the season approaches, Bosa is looking forward to the training camp and his matchups against rookie Joe Alt. "I'm going to need to beat him up a little bit in camp so he's ready," Bosa said humorously. "We'll see in a few weeks, when I lay a helmet on his chin, how he holds up."
A Strong Start
Last season, Bosa showed his capabilities with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in a Week 9 win over the Jets. With a refreshed body and a determined mindset, Bosa is aiming for a strong performance this year. His leadership and skillset on the field will be pivotal as the Chargers seek to make a deep run into the playoffs.
Joey Bosa's decision to take a pay cut while prioritizing team success underscores his commitment to the Chargers. As he enters the season feeling healthier than he has in years, fans and teammates alike will be watching closely, hopeful that Bosa can help lead the team to victory.