"Race you to the quarterback." The San Francisco 49ers could benefit from having competitive brothers anchoring the edges of their defensive line in 2026. At least, that's what several analysts around the NFL believe.
San Francisco has repeatedly been named an ideal landing spot for veteran pass rusher Joey Bosa, the older brother of 49ers star Nick Bosa. Joey Bosa has built an impressive résumé over 10 NFL seasons, recording 77 career sacks since entering the league in 2016. However, he will turn 31 before the start of the 2026 NFL season and has not reached double-digit sacks since 2021.
Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports is among the latest analysts to connect the 49ers to the veteran defender.
"Who wouldn't want to see the Bosa brothers together?" Dajani wrote. "Joey Bosa joining Nick Bosa in San Francisco would be fun. While the elder Bosa turns 31 this summer, he actually led the NFL with five forced fumbles in his one season with the Buffalo Bills. The 15 games he played last year were his most since 2021, which was a step in the right direction for the oft-injured pass rusher, and Bosa recorded 29 tackles and five sacks. His 77 career sacks rank 10th in the NFL since his rookie year in 2016."
In his lone season with the Bills in 2025, Bosa finished with 29 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, 16 quarterback hits, and two passes defensed to go along with his five forced fumbles.
Meanwhile, the 49ers' defense totaled just 20 sacks last season—the fewest in the NFL by a wide margin. Both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are returning from ACL injuries, while Bryce Huff announced his retirement, leaving San Francisco in need of additional pass-rush help.
"Bosa is an addition that makes sense," Dajani added.
Dajani isn't the only one who sees a potential fit. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report also believes the 49ers could benefit from adding the veteran pass rusher.
The team is projected to have significant salary cap flexibility in 2026, aided in part by the restructuring of Nick Bosa's contract.
"Granted, Bosa is no longer the player who won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016, has been named to five Pro Bowls, and logged double-digit sacks on four separate occasions," Davenport wrote. "He had five sacks in 562 snaps with the Buffalo Bills in 2025."
San Francisco's inability to generate consistent pressure last season highlights a clear need along the defensive line—one that Joey Bosa could help address, potentially alongside reinforcements from the 2026 NFL Draft.
"The reunion with his younger brother would be a nice story, but bringing in Bosa is more about facts than feelings," Davenport added. "The fact is, the 49ers need him."
Comments