In a surprising move that underscores his commitment to the team, Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa has opted to take a pay cut to stay with the team. This decision comes amidst a whirlwind of offseason trade rumors and salary cap concerns that cast doubt on Bosa's future with the Chargers.
Restructuring for the Team
Bosa, who had two years remaining on his five-year, $135 million contract extension signed in 2020, decided to restructure his deal in March. By taking a pay cut, Bosa ensured himself an $8 million guaranteed base salary for this season, despite there being no guaranteed money for him in 2025. This restructuring was viewed as a necessary maneuver to address the team's salary cap issues, which had fueled speculation that Bosa could be a potential cut or trade candidate.
Commitment to the Chargers
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Bosa made it clear that his desire was to remain with the Chargers. He expressed a strong interest in playing for one team throughout his entire career, a feat that is increasingly rare in modern professional sports.
"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," Bosa said.
Bosa's primary focus now is on winning games and contributing to the team's success. His commitment is evident in his willingness to adjust his contract and prioritize the team's needs over personal financial gain.
A Challenging Journey
The past two seasons have been particularly challenging for Bosa due to various injuries. He missed significant time with hamstring, foot, and toe injuries, and his 2022 season was cut short after he sprained his foot in Week 11. Additionally, Bosa underwent offseason surgery on his finger for a separate injury. Despite these setbacks, Bosa remains optimistic about his physical condition heading 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 stated. "It's nice to be feeling better going into year nine than you have since maybe five, six years ago."
Looking Forward
Bosa is eager to participate in training camp and looks forward to matchups against rookie Joe Alt. Last season, he demonstrated his capabilities with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in a Week 9 win over the Jets. His leadership and skill set will be pivotal for the Chargers as they aim for success this year.
"I'm going to need to beat him up a little bit in camp so he's ready," Bosa jokingly said about Alt. "We'll see in a few weeks, when I lay a helmet on his chin, how he holds up."
Bosa is confident in his body and performance, and he is ready to contribute to the team's success. He emphasized that winning football games is more important to him at this point than making extra money.
Commitment to Winning
"Winning football games is more important to me right now than making some extra money," Bosa stated. "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 dedication to the Chargers and his belief in the team's potential is evident. He remains hopeful that a strong performance this season could change things down the road, allowing him to continue his career with the team he loves.
"So I think we have a great opportunity here, and who knows, maybe I'll have a great year this year, and then things can change down the road," Bosa expressed optimistically.
Fans and teammates alike will be watching closely as Bosa embarks on what might be his final season in Los Angeles. His decision to take a pay cut underscores his commitment to the Chargers, and his leadership will be crucial as the team strives for victory.
"I've said I've been feeling great the last couple years. It's the real deal this time, but obviously, anything can happen, but it's fun, feeling really confident in your body and being able to perform," Bosa added.
Bosa's attitude and dedication are a testament to his priorities and his determination to succeed. As the Chargers prepare for the upcoming season, Bosa's presence and performance will be pivotal to the team's success.