Chargers GM Goes Against His Words as Soon-to-Be-Retiree Joey Bosa Ditched by Jim Harbaugh Over $36M Boost

It was 2016. The Chargers signed linebacker Joey Bosa. Boy, o boy, his talent was out of bounds. In his first 20 NFL games, he recorded 19 sacks. The 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year went on a spree in his second year, with 2.5 more sacks in 2017 (12.5) than his rookie year (2016). In 9 years, he became a legend of not only the franchise, but the entire league. But JBBigBear recently got stabbed in the back by his trusted men.

10 days ago, on February 25, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz praised the veteran LB. He didn’t show any concern about the $36.4 million cap number. He specifically said, “I know he wants to retire a charger. I’d love for him to retire a Charger. I love Joey, the teammate, the competitor.” But something happened in the last few days. The HC Jim Harbaugh didn’t want to keep an aging player, not at that price. The 29-year-old LB, expected to retire soon, was about to get a shocker from the bolt.

 

Joe Hortiz said he feels it’s realistic for the Chargers to keep Joey Bosa at his $36.4 million cap number.

“I know he wants to retire a charger. .. I’d love for him to retire a Charger. I love Joey — the teammate, the competitor.”

— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) February 25, 2025

On March 5, the Chargers surprised the fanbase by announcing the release of the outside linebacker. That’s very startling for the fans who want the team to go all-in. In 107 games (93 starters), Joey Bosa recorded 3 defended passes, 17 forced fumbles, 72 sacks, and 343 tackles (252 solo). That’s a big void to fill.

Stay tuned! This story is developing.

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