The Buffalo Bills have failed to create an adequate pass rush for over half a decade. It's been the lone major fault of the team during the Josh Allen era.
Trent Murphy, Mario Addison, then Von Miller, and now Joey Bosa. Time and time again, they've taken swings on an assortment of overpriced and underproductive options in free agency. From a rotational approach, they've had mixed results at best.
Now, Jim Leonhard takes the reins. He brings with him an entirely new philosophy for getting to the quarterback. Joey Bosa should not play a role in that philosophy.
Top 5 reasons Buffalo Bills should let EDGE Joey Bosa hit free agency
1. Age
A large part of the Bills' problem is that the players they've targeted to overcome their lack of pass rush fit into one category: Old. They're not ancient, but all are past their best days. There have been great plays, meaningful moments, and even solid seasons.
Still, the solution hasn't been found where the Bills are digging. Younger players offer a greater chance at a future, a solution instead of a band-aid. At any rate, Bosa has slowed down substantially, and he's turning 31 this season.
2. Production
Even then, he hasn't had a double-digit sack season since 2021. In that span, he's had over five sacks in a season just once. He was fooled repeatedly by stunts a veteran should be quick enough to diagnose and beat. It isn't a stunning indictment of his ability to admit he's not the league-storming rookie he once was.
In signing Bosa for another season or more, the Bills resign themselves to much of the same. It wasn't nearly enough. With only 3 tackles and no other stats registered this postseason, Joey Bosa was just another absentee playoff performer.
3. Injuries
Bosa was admittedly active for 15 games this season, plus the playoffs. Unfortunately, the best ability is availability, and being active doesn't mean playing at full strength. Getting on the field wasn't the hard part, actually producing after was.
His injury risk is high, even if he's capable of playing through it. Like Von Miller and Tre'Davious White returning too soon and failing to make their roster spot worthwhile, Bills fans need better than what they're getting.
4. Cost
Though some may disagree, keeping Joey Bosa on is simply too costly. He signed a one-year deal worth $12.6 million, and though he had some good plays for the Bills, there were far too few.
The cost argument loops back to the production issue. Had he given Buffalo more, we might feel differently about his price tag. Instead, he got paid roughly $2.5m per sack this season. Decent production at that rate would bankrupt any NFL team. With an expected average annual value of $13.7m this offseason, the Bills need to find both cheaper and better.
5. Undefined role
The last question is one that'll apply to all Bills defenders this offseason: How do they fit into the defense of Jim Leonhard? He seems to largely rely on outside linebackers and fluid personnel, of which Joey Bosa is neither. As the team goes through a coaching and personnel renaissance, there isn't room for yet another expensive, aging, injured, unproductive defensive end.