Former Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa was released by the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday after nine years with the organization. It’s the first time he will be a free agent in his NFL career.
Bosa was selected by the Chargers with the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NFL draft after spending three seasons in Columbus from 2013-15 and has had a successful stint in LA with 343 career tackles, 87 tackles for loss, 72 sacks and 17 forced fumbles.
His performance earned him a five-year, $135 million deal with Los Angeles in 2020, which made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league at the time. He has had injury issues since then, missing 23 combined games over the past three seasons and recording just 14 sacks.
Bosa was set to earn more than $25 million over the next year, so the Chargers cut ties with him to save that money towards the salary cap.
During his time with Ohio State, Bosa was an a two-time All-American and won Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year twice while leading the Buckeyes to a 2014 national championship win.
Now the former Buckeye will be able to choose where he wants to play next season, and there will likely be many suitors.
