ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have made a significant move to intensify their defensive line by reaching an agreement with Joey Bosa on a one-year contract worth $12.6 million. This development was disclosed by a person with knowledge of the contract, who preferred to remain anonymous as the official confirmation awaits the start of the NFL’s new business year. Reports about this agreement initially emerged on ESPN.
Following the release of Von Miller from the team in a bid to reduce salary-cap expenditures, Bosa steps in as a key reinforcement. Bosa’s NFL journey began when he was selected third overall in the 2016 draft by the Chargers, where he clinched the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year accolade. Having spent nine fruitful seasons with the Chargers, his tenure concluded last week due to similar financial constraints.
Despite being 29 and younger than Miller by six years, Bosa’s recent seasons have been marred by injuries, affecting his overall output. He has accumulated 72 sacks since 2016, ranking him tenth in that period, but only 14 have materialized over the past three seasons. In the previous season, Bosa participated in 14 matches with nine starts, delivering five sacks. His performance was hampered by hip and back problems, all of which followed an earlier contract renegotiation.
With just 14 games under his belt in 2022 and 2023, primarily due to groin and foot injuries, Bosa is anticipated to slot into a starting role alongside Greg Rousseau. Rousseau led the team with eight sacks last season and recently committed to a four-year extension, ensuring his presence through to 2028. Additionally, returning to the roster is edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, further fortifying the Bills’ defensive line.
The departure of Von Miller follows three seasons where his on-field contributions diminished relative to his financial impact on the team. As the current leader in sacks in the league, Miller managed only six sacks last season and was unable to secure any in 2023 due to recovery from a knee surgery in late 2022.
The Bills, who have claimed the AFC East title for five consecutive years, faced a decline in their sack tally last year, finishing 18th in the league with 39, a stark drop from 54 in the previous year. This reflects the team’s defensive strategy, which omits frequent blitzing, relying on the core four-man front to exert pressure on opponents.
Joey Bosa is recognized as a five-time Pro Bowl participant and has repeatedly demonstrated his sack prowess, achieving double-digit sacks in four seasons, including a peak performance of 12.5 sacks in 2017.
