The San Francisco 49ers’ pass rush was a major weakness in 2025.
The defense totaled just 20 sacks — the fewest in the NFL — creating an urgent need for reinforcements this offseason. If new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is going to stabilize the unit in his first year, upgrades off the edge will be needed.
Joey Bosa linked to 49ers again
San Francisco might have to find multiple players in free agency and the draft to bolster its inconsistent pass rush. Jared Dubin of CBS Sports recently identified one free agent each NFL team should prioritize. For the 49ers, Dubin pointed to a familiar name: veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa.
“Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the 49ers were 30th in the NFL in pressure rate this season and need help on the edge, especially with both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams facing returns from major injuries,” Dubin wrote. “Uniting the Bosa brothers to manage each other’s reps could be a low-cost solution.”
The idea of pairing Joey Bosa with Nick Bosa would certainly generate attention. It could also provide short-term stability for a defensive front that struggled to consistently affect quarterbacks in 2025.
A short-term fix?
The 49ers have recently emphasized getting younger across the roster, so targeting a 30-year-old edge rusher may seem counterintuitive. However, any pursuit of Joey Bosa would likely be viewed as a short-term bridge rather than a long-term solution.
San Francisco would still need to invest in younger pass-rush talent through the draft or trade market to build depth and long-term production.
The 49ers explored signing Bosa last offseason before he ultimately joined the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal. The five-time Pro Bowler is entering his 11th NFL season.
In 2025, Bosa started 15 games — his most since 2021 — and finished with 29 tackles (nine for loss), 16 quarterback hits, five sacks, five forced fumbles, and two passes defensed.
For a 49ers defense desperate for production off the edge, adding a proven veteran like Bosa could be a gamble. While pairing him with his brother on the opposite end would generate storylines, it would also create an intriguing battle for two very competitive defenders.