Joey Bosa Takes Pay Cut to Stay with Chargers Amid Speculation
Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa has decided to remain with the team this season despite a whirlwind of offseason trade rumors and salary cap concerns. Bosa, who had two years remaining on a five-year, $135 million contract extension signed in 2020, opted to restructure his deal in March, taking a pay cut to stay with the Chargers.
Contract Restructuring
Given the salary cap issues, Bosa was viewed as a potential cut or trade candidate. However, by adjusting his contract, Bosa ensured an $8 million guaranteed base salary for this season. Notably, there is no guaranteed money for him in 2025, which could make this year his final season in Los Angeles. Bosa emphasized his desire to stay with the Chargers and expressed an interest in playing for one team throughout his entire career.
Focus on Team Success
Bosa's primary focus now is on winning games. "Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money," he said. He wants to contribute to the team's success and play alongside his teammate Khalil Mack. Bosa's attitude demonstrates his priorities as he looks forward to the upcoming season.
Overcoming Past 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. The injury recovery process included offseason surgery on his finger for a separate injury. Despite these setbacks, Bosa is feeling optimistic about his physical condition heading into this year.
"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 remarked. "It's nice to be feeling better going into year nine than you have since maybe five, six years ago."
Optimism for the Future
Bosa feels better going into this year than he has in past years and is confident in both his body and performance. "It's the real deal this time," he stated. "But obviously anything can happen, but it's fun, feeling really confident in your body and being able to perform."
Leadership on the Field
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. Bosa's decision to take a pay cut underscores his commitment to the team, and fans and teammates alike will be watching closely, hopeful that Bosa can help lead the team to victory.
Looking forward to training camp, Bosa is enthusiastic about the upcoming matchups against rookie Joe Alt. "I'm going to need to beat him up a little bit in camp so he's ready," Bosa noted. "We'll see in a few weeks, when I lay a helmet on his chin, how he holds up."
Conclusion
Bosa's adjustment in his contract and focus on team success highlight his determination to contribute significantly to the Chargers. "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," he stated. Bosa's commitment and optimistic outlook for the future position him as a key player for the Chargers this season.