Joey Bosa Takes Pay Cut to Stay with Chargers Amid Speculation
Restructuring the Deal
Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa has chosen to remain with the team this season, despite a whirlwind of offseason trade rumors and salary cap concerns. Bosa had two years remaining on a five-year, $135 million contract extension signed in 2020. In March, Bosa opted to restructure his deal, taking a pay cut to stay with the Chargers. Given the salary cap issues, Bosa was viewed as a potential cut or trade candidate. However, his decision to adjust his contract ensures him an $8 million guaranteed base salary for this season, though there is no guaranteed money for him in 2025. This year might mark Bosa's final season in Los Angeles, but he emphasized his desire to stay with the Chargers and expressed his interest in playing for one team throughout his entire career. Bosa's primary focus now is on winning games and contributing to the team's success, playing alongside teammate Khalil Mack. Bosa's attitude demonstrates his priorities as he looks forward to the upcoming season.
Overcoming Challenges
The past two seasons have been challenging for Bosa due to various injuries. He missed significant time with hamstring, foot, and toe injuries. His 2022 season was cut short after spraining 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. He feels better going into this year than he has in past years, expressing confidence in both his body and performance. He 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.
Commitment to the Team
Joey Bosa's decision to take a pay cut underscores his commitment to the Chargers. Fans and teammates will be watching closely, hopeful Bosa can help lead the team to victory. Bosa's desire to stay with the Chargers is evident in his quotes. "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," Bosa said. "Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money." He added, "I want to win. I want to be on this team. I want another shot with the guys in this room, especially Khalil [Mack]." Bosa's optimism and dedication to the team are clear, as he believes in the potential for a great opportunity this season. "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," Bosa remarked.
Physical and Mental Readiness
Reflecting on his physical readiness, Bosa stated, "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 finds it refreshing to feel better going into year nine than he has in past years. "It's nice to be feeling better going into year nine than you have since maybe five, six years ago," he said. Looking back, Bosa noted, "I've said I've been feeling great the last couple 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."
As Bosa gears up for training camp, he is also excited about challenging the younger talents on the team. "I'm going to need to beat him up a little bit in camp so he's ready," Bosa playfully mentioned, referring to rookie Joe Alt. "We'll see in a few weeks, when I lay a helmet on his chin, how he holds up," he added.
Joey Bosa's leadership and performance will be critical for the Chargers as they aim for a successful season. His willingness to take a pay cut and stay with the team highlights his dedication and belief in the Chargers' potential. As fans and teammates watch closely, they are hopeful Bosa can help lead the team to victory and achieve his goal of playing for one team throughout his entire career.