Perhaps the San Francisco 49ers never truly came close to trying to grab defensive end Joey Bosa, elder brother of the Niners' own edge rusher, Nick Bosa, in free agency entering 2025.
Nevertheless, it was a provocative idea. San Francisco needed pass-rush help, and the Bosa brothers playing alongside one another in the same jersey would have been a unique sight to see.
But the former Los Angeles Charger ultimately inked a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, while the 49ers pivoted and used their first-round draft pick on defensive end Mykel Williams to be an opposite bookend with Nick, while also grabbing Bryce Huff via a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, though, the context is laying out for yet another chance for the Niners to reunite the Bosa brothers.
Here's what's known: San Francisco needs pass-rush help, particularly after both the younger Bosa and Williams suffered torn ACLs last season, influencing a league-low 20 sacks during the year. Joey Bosa, hitting the free-agent market again, boasted five sacks, nine tackles for a loss and five forced fumbles over 15 games for Buffalo.
According to one CBS Sports analyst, the setting seems perfect for a Bosa reunion in the Bay Area.
CBS Sports tabs Joey Bosa as 49ers' free-agent target to pair with Nick Bosa
CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles recently evaluated the top 50 pending free agents and speculated their landing spots in 2026.
For Joey Bosa, it made too much sense to include San Francisco:
"The Bosa brothers reunite as San Francisco adds a much-needed pass rusher. Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are both coming off a torn ACL, and the elder Bosa would be a help as a situational player."
The latter part of Pereles' statement makes the most sense. Despite a solid year in 2025, Joey Bosa's days of anchoring a defense's pass rush are behind him. And, turning 31 years old prior to the start of the regular season, past injury concerns aren't going to get any better at this stage of his career. The last time he had double-digit sacks anyway was way back in 2021.
Still, especially with the 49ers likely looking to clean out their pass-rushing depth by parting ways with names like Yetur Gross-Matos and Robert Beal Jr., finding those reserve options to beef up the depth chart behind Williams, Huff and Nick Bosa wouldn't be the worst idea.
Especially if the elder Bosa rebuffs a best-money contract in order to play alongside his younger brother.