Joey Bosa Takes Pay Cut to Stay with Chargers Amid Speculation
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa has decided to stay 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. This restructuring included a pay cut, ensuring an $8 million guaranteed base salary for this season. Given the salary cap issues, Bosa was seen as a potential cut or trade candidate. His decision to stay underscores his commitment to the team. However, there is no guaranteed money for Bosa in 2025, which means this year might mark his final season in Los Angeles.
Commitment to the Chargers
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," he said. Bosa's primary focus now is on winning games and contributing to the team's success, particularly alongside teammate Khalil Mack.
"Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money," Bosa stated. "I want to win. I want to be on this team. I want another shot with the guys in this room, especially Khalil [Mack]."
Challenges Overcome
The past two seasons have been challenging for Bosa due to various injuries. He missed significant time with hamstring, foot, and toe injuries, and his 2022 season was cut short after he sprained his foot in Week 11. Bosa's injury recovery included offseason surgery on his finger for a separate injury. Despite these setbacks, Bosa is feeling optimistic about his physical condition heading into the new season. "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," he said.
Bosa also expressed confidence in his body and performance. "It's nice to be feeling better going into year nine than you have since maybe five, six years ago. I've said I've been feeling great the last couple of 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," he added.
Looking Forward
As the Chargers gear up for the new season, Bosa is looking forward to training camp and matchups against rookie Joe Alt. Last season, Bosa showcased his capabilities with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in a Week 9 win over the Jets. His leadership and skillset will be pivotal for the Chargers this year. "I'm going to need to beat him up a little bit in camp so he's ready," Bosa joked about the rookie. "We'll see in a few weeks, when I lay a helmet on his chin, how he holds up."
Bosa's decision to take a pay cut underscores his commitment to the Chargers, prioritizing team success over personal financial gain. "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 mentioned optimistically. Fans and teammates will be watching closely, hopeful that Bosa can help lead the team to victory.
Overall, Bosa's attitude demonstrates his priorities as he looks forward to the upcoming season. His commitment to the Chargers, despite the speculative trade rumors and salary cap concerns, reflects a dedicated athlete ready to give his all for the team. As he enters his ninth season, Bosa's physical readiness and leadership will be crucial for the Chargers' success.