Joey Bosa Contract Signing Leaves Chargers Star In Tears
Joey Bosa’s contract signing left the Los Angeles Chargers star in tears on Tuesday.
One of the biggest storylines heading into the offseason was what LA would ultimately opt to do with Bosa. The 25-year-old had been an absolute stud since joining the roster out of Ohio State, as illustrated by him winning the 2016 Rookie of the Year Award after recording 41 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Unfortunately, while Bosa was an extremely productive player from the jump, he also came with his fair share of injury concerns.
In 2016 he played a total of 12 outings. Two years later, in 2018, he was limited to six starts. Of his four years in the league, the former Buckeyes star only played a 16 game-load twice over the course of that time.
Chargers Pay Bosa the Big Bucks
This week, the Chargers committed to their star despite that. With a five-year, $135 million deal, LA made Bosa the highest-paid defensive player in the league. What makes that all the more startling is that it comes on the heels of the Cleveland Browns handing Myles Garrett a five-year, $125 million deal.
Of Bosa’s $135 million contract, $78 million is guaranteed.
Bosa signed the deal this week, and he got emotional while doing it.
“I wish I had my family here with me, but I’m happy,” he said.
“My mom was a little calmer, they’re unbelievably proud. The best moment of it all was when my dad called me and I picked up that phone. He was just so happy. It was really cool. It was a really cool moment. I’m never going to forget it.”
This is really cool … Chargers DE Joey Bosa gets emotional as his five-year, $135 million is pushed over the goal line. pic.twitter.com/vtxbat3csw
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 4, 2020
2020-21 Will Be a Test for Bosa and Chargers
Bosa’s injury issues notwithstanding, he has been an incredibly impactful player for the Chargers. Over the course of his four years with the franchise, he has amassed 201 tackles and 40 sacks, as well as 53 tackles for a loss. And he recorded those stellar numbers over the course of just 51 total career outings.
With Philip Rivers gone next season, the Chargers will be forced to lean even harder on the defense in order to stay afloat in the hyper-competitive AFC West. Having a strong pass-rushing threat against the likes of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, Drew Lock and the Denver Broncos, and Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders will be absolutely vital.
If Bosa is able to replicate some of the success he has had up to this point in 2020-21, the Chargers could do some real damage next season.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
