Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa has played his way into a monstrous pay day after the season.
Bosa, who was recently named to his second Pro Bowl, is having one of the best campaigns yet. Making an impact as a pass rusher and run defender, Bosa is up to 11.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss on the season, along with 51 quarterback pressures.
Bosa has 40 sacks in 50 career games, which makes him the 10th player since 1982 to total 40 or more sacks in his first 50 games.
At the moment, Bosa is slated to make $14.36 million on his fifth-year option next season. Based on the impact that he’s made since joining the team in 2016, he would be underpaid if he was to play making that much in 2020.
That is why Bosa could possibly hold out if he doesn’t receive a hefty contract.
General manager Tom Telesco elected to not re-sign quarterback Philip Rivers or running back Melvin Gordon this past offseason because he knew that he would need some change for Bosa if he played out of his mind in 2019, which he has.
So how much are we talking to avoid Bosa holding out this offseason?
Los Angeles would likely have to pay him in the ballpark of what Cowboys’ Demarcus Lawrence is getting paid, which is five years, $105 million, with $65 million guaranteed.
It’s going be an enticing offseason for the Chargers. They will have to decide who the starting quarterback will be in 2020, as well as figure out who’s coming back next season, with notables such as tight end Hunter Henry, safety Adrian Phillips and guard Michael Schofield.
[lawrence-related id=32233,32227,32216,32207]