The San Francisco 49ers have made several notable moves in free agency, adding players such as Mike Evans, Dre Greenlaw, and Nate Hobbs. The team also traded for Osa Odighizuwa from the Dallas Cowboys to strengthen a defense that struggled to play consistent football last season.

However, one of the 49ers' most pressing offseason needs remains largely unaddressed: the pass rush.


San Francisco finished last season with just 20 sacks, the lowest total in the NFL. Meanwhile, both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are returning from ACL injuries, and veteran edge rusher Bryce Huff recently announced his retirement.

The 49ers could target pass-rush help in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, Bill Barnwell of ESPN believes one remaining veteran free agent could be an ideal fit for defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

That player is Joey Bosa.

Signing Bosa would create a compelling storyline by pairing him with his younger brother, Nick, potentially forming a formidable edge-rushing duo. Of course, such a move would hinge largely on Joey Bosa's ability to stay healthy.

Barnwell noted Bosa's recent durability concerns. The veteran pass rusher appeared in 15 games last season for the Buffalo Bills but missed 23 games between 2022 and 2024. After suffering a hamstring injury in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bosa failed to record a sack over the final five games of the season, including the playoffs.


"It's unclear whether he is the same caliber of player he was earlier in his career with Los Angeles," Barnwell wrote. "Bosa forced five fumbles in 2025, but he was one of many Bills front-seven players who failed to impress against the run."

Even so, Barnwell believes Bosa—who turns 31 in July—can still provide value to an NFL defense in need of pass-rush help, though teams will hesitate to commit significant money this late in his career.

"There's still a useful player here, but Bosa is probably best in a situational pass-rush role at this point of his career, and teams will worry about committing meaningful money to a player who might not see the field very often if he can't stay healthy," Barnwell noted.

As for the 49ers, Barnwell pointed out that the team has not been shy about taking chances on players with injury histories. With Yetur Gross-Matos and Clelin Ferrell both becoming free agents, opportunities could emerge along the defensive front.

"Joey Bosa would be in a part-time role on a 49ers team that should be heavily rotating its edge rushers throughout the season," Barnwell concluded.

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