The Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly agreed to a contract extension with superstar defensive end Joey Bosa that features more guaranteed money than any defensive player has received in NFL history.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers have signed Bosa to a five-year, $135 million contract extension. Schefter adds that the contract features $78 million fully guaranteed at signing and $102 million guaranteed in total, a new NFL record for a defensive player.
Chargers and DE Joey Bosa reached agreement on a 5-year, $135 million extension that ties him to LA the next six years, league sources tell ESPN. He had $78M fully guaranteed at signing and $102M guaranteed – a new NFL defensive record.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2020
There had been rumors of Bosa holding out ahead of the 2020 NFL season, but The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reported on Tuesday evening that Bosa reported to Chargers camp.
DE Joey Bosa has reported to #Chargers camp, per source.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) July 28, 2020
Less than two hours later, we learned that Bosa had signed the massive new contract he desired. And while it’s a huge price, it’s a move the Chargers had to make to lock up their best player.
Bosa, 25, has 40 sacks over his first four NFL seasons after being selected by the Chargers with the third overall pick out of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has graded out as Pro Football Focus’ top pass rusher over the past three seasons.
Per @AdamSchefter, Joey Bosa signed 5-year and $135 million extension with the Chargers, including $102M guaranteed – a new NFL defensive record.
Bosa is the highest-graded pass-rushing EDGE defender in the NFL (91.4) since 2017 pic.twitter.com/41DHgufdiw
— PFF (@PFF) July 29, 2020
Highest pass-rush win rate last season:
1. Joey Bosa – 23.1%
2. Aaron Donald – 22.6%
3. Za’Darius Smith – 21.6%
4. Trey Flowers – 20.7% pic.twitter.com/CXb3ZQ0MCP— PFF (@PFF) July 29, 2020
Elite pass-rushers are extraordinarily valuable to begin with, and especially when the team needs to face Patrick Mahomes twice a year for the next decade as the Chargers will.
So, doing whatever it took to keep Bosa long-term was a no-brainer for the Chargers.
