Joey Bosa Takes Pay Cut to Stay with Chargers
Amidst Trade Rumors and Salary Cap Issues
Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa has made headlines by deciding to stay with the team this season despite a whirlwind of offseason trade rumors and salary cap concerns. With two years remaining on his five-year, $135 million contract extension signed in 2020, Bosa opted to restructure his deal in March, taking a significant pay cut to remain with the Chargers.
Restructure for Staying Power
Given the team's salary cap issues, Bosa was viewed as a potential cut or trade candidate. But in a move signaling his commitment, Bosa adjusted his contract to ensure an $8 million guaranteed base salary for this season. The restructured deal, however, leaves him with no guaranteed money in 2025, potentially marking this season as his final one in Los Angeles.
Bosa has emphasized his desire to stay with the Chargers and expressed a strong interest in playing for one team throughout his entire career. "I always thought of myself being somebody that will play here and retire here," Bosa said. "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." His primary focus is winning games and contributing to the team alongside teammate Khalil Mack.
Overcoming Injuries and Looking Ahead
The past two seasons have posed significant challenges for Bosa due to various injuries. He missed substantial time with hamstring, foot, and toe injuries, and 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. However, he's feeling optimistic about his physical condition going into the new season.
"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," Bosa said. "It's nice to be feeling better going into year nine than you have since maybe five, six years ago."
A Season of Redemption
Bosa's leadership and skillset will be pivotal for the Chargers this year. Last season, he showcased his capabilities with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in a Week 9 win over the Jets. His decision to take a pay cut underscores his commitment to the Chargers, and fans and teammates alike will be watching closely, hopeful that Bosa can help lead the team to victory.
"Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money," Bosa stated. Expressing his desire for another shot with the team, 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 attitude demonstrates his priorities as he looks forward to the upcoming season. He is confident in both his body and performance, which he attributes partially to feeling better than he has in past years. "It's fun, feeling really confident in your body and being able to perform," he noted.
Training Camp and Future Outlook
Bosa is eagerly anticipating training camp and the matchups against rookie Joe Alt. "I'm going to need to beat him up a little bit in camp so he's ready," Bosa joked. "We'll see in a few weeks, when I lay a helmet on his chin, how he holds up."
As the Chargers prepare for the new season, Joey Bosa's presence and leadership will be invaluable. His decision to restructure his contract and take a pay cut shows a level of dedication and commitment that resonates with fans and teammates alike. While this season could potentially be Bosa's last with the Chargers, his focus remains on winning and making a significant impact on the field.