The Los Angeles Chargers have made a significant move to keep their defensive lineup strong. They’ve successfully negotiated a restructured contract with Joey Bosa, one of their top edge rushers, ensuring he stays with the team for the 2024 season. This news comes directly from ESPN, highlighting the team’s commitment to maintaining a robust defense.
Joey Bosa, who previously signed a five-year deal worth $135 million in 2020, was set to have a substantial $36.6 million impact on the team’s finances this upcoming season. However, this restructured agreement is a strategic move, projected to save the Chargers approximately $10.4 million in cap space.
This adjustment to Bosa’s contract wasn’t the only financial maneuver by the Chargers. Khalil Mack, Bosa’s counterpart in edge-rushing, also restructured his contract. Additionally, the team decided to release wide receiver Mike Williams. These three actions combined have significantly eased the financial burden on the Chargers, creating a more flexible budget as they enter the new league year.
With the arrival of Jim Harbaugh as the new head coach and Jesse Minter stepping in as the defensive coordinator, Bosa is expected to return to a position he’s familiar with. Earlier in his career, Bosa excelled as a 4-3 (or 4-2-5) defensive end, a role he’s likely to reassume, differing from the 3-4 outside linebacker position he often played under the previous head coach, Brandon Staley. Despite the change, Bosa’s primary responsibilities as an edge rusher will remain unchanged, although he might find himself with his hand in the dirt more frequently.
For the Chargers to leverage Bosa’s full potential, it’s crucial for him to maintain his health. Over the last two seasons, Bosa has only played in a combined total of 14 games, a significant decrease from his performance between 2017 and 2021, where he made the Pro Bowl four times in five years. Recognized as one of the league’s premier edge defenders when fit, Bosa’s challenge will be to overcome the injuries that have recently hindered his availability.