COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa is making a move in the NFL.
After spending nine seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, the 2016 third overall draft pick has reportedly signed a one-year, $12.6 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, marking the first team change of his career.
Joey Bosa was instrumental in the early success of Larry Johnson’s historic run as Ohio State’s defensive line coach. Although Johnson didn’t arrive in Columbus until 2014, Bosa had already begun making a name for himself the previous season under the guidance of Mike Vrabel, who was then an assistant coach with the Buckeyes and is now leading the New England Patriots.
Even as a true freshman, Bosa displayed immense potential, proving himself as a dominant force on the defensive front. His impressive debut season included 42 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks, signaling his emergence as one of the nation’s top young defenders. His early performance set the foundation for what would become a storied collegiate career and helped establish Johnson’s reputation for developing elite defensive linemen at Ohio State.
Bosa continued his dominance in his sophomore season, building on his impressive freshman campaign with an even more remarkable performance. In his second year at Ohio State, he recorded 55 tackles, a Big Ten-leading 21 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. At the time, his sack total was second only to Vernon Gholston’s 14 in 2007. It wasn’t until 2019 that Chase Young—who now plays for the New Orleans Saints—surpassed both marks with an astounding 16.5 sacks.
Bosa’s breakout sophomore season not only solidified his status as one of the top defensive players in college football but also played a pivotal role in Ohio State’s historic run to a national championship in the inaugural College Football Playoff. His dominance on the defensive front helped set a new standard for Buckeye defensive linemen, an expectation that would later be met by his younger brother, Nick Bosa, and Chase Young in the years that followed. By the end of his collegiate career, Bosa had amassed 26 sacks, ranking him fourth all-time in Ohio State history.
His success at the collegiate level quickly translated to the NFL. After being selected third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, Bosa wasted no time making an impact, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season.
Over the course of his nine-year career with the Los Angeles Chargers, he has established himself as one of the league’s most dominant edge rushers, earning five Pro Bowl selections. His impressive NFL resume includes 343 tackles, 87 tackles for loss, 72 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and 156 quarterback hits, further cementing his legacy as one of the premier defensive players of his generation.
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