1. Los Angeles Chargers
It would be shocking if the Chargers let Joey Bosa test free agency. The team quickly franchise tagged Hunter Henry this offseason. Well, Bosa is worth four or five Henrys. Bosa isn’t a generational talent, but he’s the kind of player who can play 12 or more seasons and record over 100 sacks.
The Chargers drafted Bosa with the third overall pick in 2016. During his first four seasons, the Ohio State product produced 40 sacks, 82 quarterback hits, and 201 tackles. He’s an elite pass rusher who can also contribute against the run. The franchise hasn’t employed a pass rusher this talented since Shawne Merriman joined the team in 2005.
Since Bosa entered the NFL, he formed a dynamic pass-rushing duo with Melvin Ingram. Unfortunately, both pass rushers are free agents this coming offseason. Realistically, the Chargers can’t keep both. That means the team needs a new sack artist to pair with Bosa in 2021 and beyond.
If the Chargers can’t reach a long-term extension with Bosa, they’ll use the franchise tag. He’s too valuable to let walk away in free agency without any form of compensation. However, the Chargers likely want to keep their 25-year-old future All-Pro around for the long run.
Myles Garrett recently reset the defensive lineman market by signing a five-year, $125 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. That elevates Bosa’s value. His extension should pay out over $20 million annually. Spotrac projects the Chargers to have around $86 million in cap space next year, which gives the team more than enough room to extend Bosa.
