John Lynch delivered a reality check Sunday on the most discussed free agency reunion in the NFC West. Despite weeks of speculation about the Bosa brothers finally joining forces in San Francisco, the 49ers’ general manager acknowledged the financial math may not add up.
Joey Bosa remains unsigned after leading the NFL with 5 forced fumbles during his lone season in Buffalo. Their mother, Cheryl, has publicly campaigned for the reunion on social media, posting edited images of both sons in 49ers uniforms. But sentiment and the salary cap are two different negotiations.
John Lynch Addresses Joey Bosa Speculation at Annual League Meeting
Speaking with reporters in Phoenix, Lynch didn’t exactly close the door on a deal. He didn’t leave it open, either. “I know Mama Bosa would love that, but I don’t know if we can afford him,” the 49ers GM told reporters.
The 49ers entered free agency with roughly $39 million in projected cap space, per Spotrac, against a $301.2 million league cap. They’ve spent aggressively, signing Mike Evans to a three-year deal worth more than $14 million per year.
Osa Odighizuwa arrived via trade from Dallas, and Dre Greenlaw returned on a $6 million deal. Moreover, Christian Kirk followed on a one-year, $3 million pact.
San Francisco also restructured Nick Bosa’s contract, converting $21.47 million of his salary into a signing bonus and clearing $17.17 million in 2026 cap space. That move created room, but it also pushed his 2027 cap number to $54.87 million. The 49ers are borrowing against the future to compete now.
Joey Bosa played on a one-year, $12.6 million deal with Buffalo last season. Spotrac projects his market value at $13.7 million. That would consume a significant chunk of whatever flexibility San Francisco has left, while the front office still needs to address the Trent Williams contract situation.
49ers’ Remaining Options if Team Doesn’t Sign Bosa
The 49ers recorded just 20 sacks in 2025, the fewest in the NFL by a wide margin. They struggled to generate consistent pressure. Bryce Huff retired at 27 to pursue business opportunities, while Clelin Ferrell and Yetur Gross-Matos are free agents.
The remaining depth is thin and recovering. Nick Bosa is working back from his third torn ACL, and Mykel Williams, the 2025 first-round pick, suffered the same injury. Keion White is recovering from a shooting this winter. That leaves Sam Okuayinonu as the only healthy edge rusher currently on the roster.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
However, Lynch told reporters that both Bosa and Williams are expected to be ready for the training camp.
#49ers expecting DEs Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams to be ready for training camp in some capacity (potentially eased back in).
John Lynch says team is “hopeful” that TE George Kittle will be available in Week 1, noting that he’s progressing well from Achilles injury.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) March 29, 2026
Adding the older Bosa brother would provide a veteran presence alongside two players coming off significant knee injuries. He started 15 games in Buffalo, his most since 2021, and posted 47 total pressures.
According to PFSN’s EDGE Impact Metric, Bosa finished last season as the 38th-best player at his position with an impact score of 78.7.
But if the cap situation doesn’t improve, the 49ers are betting their pass rush on two ACL recoveries, a limited depth chart, and a draft class they’ll need to hit on immediately. That’s a considerable gamble for a team that lost 41-6 against the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round.
