Chargers unlikely to extend Joey Bosa this offseason

The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the league’s star pass-rushers in Joey Bosa, but don’t expect him to land a contract extension this year.

Joey Bosa is one of the NFL’s best players. He’s also one of the league’s best bargains.

While the Chargers certainly value his production, there’s a belief within the league that Bosa must wait until next offseason before any extension talks become serious. Bosa, 23, is scheduled to earn $8.23 million this season before his fifth-year option kicks in for 2020, paying him $14.36 million.

Should the Chargers decide to play the entire contract out followed by a franchise tag, they are looking at roughly paying $40 million over the next three seasons.

General Manager Tom Telesco has ample reason to be patient. With two years of relatively cheap control left, Telesco would likely want any extension to start in 2021. Bosa also endured a foot injury last year that cost him nine games. For Bosa, he would almost certainly have to take considerably less than market value due to being at least two years away from unrestricted free agency. Again, he’s also coming off an injury-plagued campaign.

For both parties, there’s benefit in waiting at least one more year before engaging in talks.

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Los Angeles also has a litany of soon-to-be free agents to take care of including quarterback Philip Rivers, running back Melvin Gordon, cornerback Trevor Williams, center Mike Pouncey and tight end Hunter Henry. All of the aforementioned players are entering the final year of their respective contracts.