The Buffalo Bills were recently among the few NFL teams rumored to be in the mix for a potential blockbuster trade involving star defensive end Myles Garrett. As one of the league’s premier pass rushers, Garrett would have been a massive addition to a Bills defense looking to gain an edge in a highly competitive AFC. However, any hopes of landing Garrett were quickly dashed when the Cleveland Browns locked him up with a record-setting contract extension. The new deal makes Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, effectively removing him from any trade discussions and keeping him in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.
Despite missing out on Garrett, Buffalo didn’t waste time regrouping. The team made a splash of its own by signing another elite edge rusher: Joey Bosa. The Bills and Bosa agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $12.6 million, bringing the five-time Pro Bowl defender to Western New York. It’s a bold move that shows Buffalo is still very much in “win-now” mode, determined to stay in the Super Bowl conversation.
Joey Bosa, a former first-round pick out of Ohio State, was widely speculated to be headed to San Francisco, where he would have joined forces with his younger brother, Nick Bosa, on the 49ers’ vaunted defense. Many around the league believed that pairing was almost inevitable. Instead, Bosa took a different route and chose Buffalo, where he’ll immediately take over as the team’s top edge rusher.
In terms of career production, Bosa has been one of the NFL’s most impactful pass rushers over the last decade. In 107 career games, he has recorded an impressive 72 sacks. He made an immediate impact during his rookie season, putting up 10.5 sacks, followed by 12.5 in his second year. His quick rise to dominance earned him a massive five-year, $135 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020, making him one of the highest-paid defenders at the time.
However, injuries have been a recurring issue for Bosa over the past few seasons, limiting his availability and impact. Even so, at 29 years old, he still possesses elite talent and can be a game-wrecker when healthy. The Bills are clearly betting on a bounce-back season from the veteran, hoping he can stay on the field and bring a disruptive presence to their defensive front.
Buffalo will now pair Bosa with promising young pass rusher Greg Rousseau, forming a potentially dangerous duo off the edge. Rousseau, a first-round pick in 2021, has shown flashes of brilliance in his early NFL career. With Bosa’s experience and skill alongside him, the Bills’ pass rush could take a major step forward in 2025.
This move underscores Buffalo’s urgency to compete at the highest level, particularly with the Kansas City Chiefs continuing to dominate the AFC. With Josh Allen under center and now Bosa anchoring the defense, the Bills hope this addition will finally help them get over the hump and make a deep postseason run.