'Father Time' waits for nobody, and Joey Bosa is its latest victim. Just one offseason after signing a two-year, $40.36 million contract extension, the Los Angeles Chargers released their decorated edge rusher. The end of an era in LA ushers in a harsh reality for Pittsburgh Steelers fans and the future of T.J. Watt.
Bosa's release didn't come as a surprise. The long-time Chargers defender was scheduled to have a lofty salary cap number of $36.4 million in 2025. However, the front office's decision to move on shows you that nobody is ever truly safe in this league.
Many of Bosa's issues over the years have stemmed from injuries. The star defender has never played a 17-game season, and last year, he missed three games. Now Bosa—a five-time Pro Bowler and 2016 Defensive Rookie of the Year—turns 30 years old before NFL training camps begin this summer and will search for a new team.
Former Los Angeles Chargers Joey Bosa's release reminds Pittsburgh Steelers fans to soak up every moment with T.J. Watt
Joey Bosa was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft—one year before T.J. Watt entered the league. In Bosa's first six seasons with the Chargers, he racked up 58.0 sacks, 73 tackles for a loss, and 130 quarterback hits. But all good things must come to an end and, after nine seasons, the Chargers are parting ways with one their best pass rushers in franchise history.
Bosa's abrupt departure from the Chargers reminds us that the sun will soon set on Watt's career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite being drafted a year later than Bosa, Watt is older than the fellow edge rusher (T.J. will turn 31 this season). In 2024, Watt's efficiency dipped as a pass rusher, as did his raw production. This caused many to question whether Watt is on the decline.
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Now the All-Pro Steelers defender and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is up for a contract extension... and it won't come cheap. After Maxx Crosby reset the edge rusher market, Watt will follow suit with a record-setting deal.
Unfortunately, this means the Steelers could run into a similar situation soon that the Chargers were in with Bosa. If Watt doesn't live up to his lucrative contract numbers (and he probably won't), the Steelers could look to move on from the future Hall of Famer a few years from now.
We all would love to believe that T.J. Watt will go on playing at a high level forever, but Joey Bosa is a reminder for Pittsburgh Steelers fans to cherish every snap Watt has left. Father Time will soon come knocking.