NFL Free Agent Rumor: San Francisco 49ers urgently linked to $156M Buffalo Bills edge amid Nick Bosa’s latest calf injury and suspected weeks of absence

All of the 2026 offseason, Nick Bosa kept saying Joey Bosa is playing golf more than contemplating an NFL return. When the 2026 NFL season began, recovered Nick Bosa fell prey to a calf injury, a new injury, just two weeks into the season, requiring him to miss a few weeks.This doesn’t call for a reunion. But it could definitely lead to Joey Bosa’s return. He could join the San Francisco 49ers to fill in for his younger brother, Nick, and fulfill their mother Cheryl’s dream of watching the Bosa Brothers wear the same gear.Anyhow, is it possible? Speculation is open. Because the Buffalo Bills edge rusher is neither retiring nor joining any NFL team.Buffalo Bills’ Joey Bosa linked to Nick Bosa’s San Francisco 49ersNick Bosa suffered a calf injury in practice on Thursday. He is expected to miss a few weeks. He will not play in the upcoming Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals, as per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.Nick had completely recovered from the torn ACL in his right knee that cut short his 2025 season. He played two weeks into the 2026 season, recording 70 snaps.Had he played in Week 3 against the Cardinals, it would have been a year for him since he suffered a torn ACL. But alas, before the game could come, a calf injury occurred in practice leading up to that very game.Now, his latest injury could become costly for the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive line. That’s where Joey Bosa, his older brother, who remains a free agent and has not even announced his NFL retirement, comes into the picture!Why Joey Bosa is perfect for Nick Bosa’s 49ersJoey Bosa, the 2016 first-round, third overall pick, is a five-time Pro Bowler, 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and 2025 NFL forced-fumbles leader. He has accumulated 77.0 sacks, 372 total tackles, 22 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and five pass deflections in 122 games.In 2025, he played for the Buffalo Bills, where the 31-year-old recorded 5.0 sacks, 29 total tackles [17 solo], and two pass deflections. His fifth forced fumble came against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers, setting a new Buffalo Bills record, in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season.San Francisco 49ers’ defensive line is weakThe San Francisco 49ers’ defensive line looks worse than weak right now.ESPN reports the team placed defensive tackle C.J. West on injured reserve this week. They also lost defensive end Sam Okuayinonu and tackle Alfred Collins to injured reserve after injuries sustained in practice during the first two weeks of the season.Rookie defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. is dealing with a high ankle sprain that will keep him out for 3-6 weeks. Rookie edge rusher Romello Height suffers from a broken hand that kept him out of practice this week.According to San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, Romello Height has an outside chance to play in Sunday’s Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals.But who will fill Nick Bosa’s vacant space? Enter Joey Bosa! Once again, until there is any official retirement news, rumors of him joining his younger brother’s team will never stop. This is especially true now, when his brother is missing time and the team needs an edge rusher as amazing as he is?Joey Bosa free agency rumorsCategoryDetailsPlayer NameJoey BosaCurrent FranchiseNone. His contract with the Buffalo Bills expired with the end of the 2025 NFL season.2026 Offseason Free Agency RumorsDallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore RavensContract StatusUFA [unrestricted free agent]Spotrac Calculated Market ValueTwo-year, $27 million contract with $13 million average annual incomeFree Agency Signing LikelihoodLow to ModerateTotal Career Earnings$156 million over 10 long NFL seasons, earned from two different teams [Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills].Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.