When people ask which of the Bosa brothers plays for the Buffalo Bills, the short answer is Joey Bosa. While his younger brother Nick anchors the defense for the San Francisco 49ers, Joey signed with Buffalo to bring his veteran pass-rushing skills to the AFC East. Understanding where each brother plays requires looking at their distinct paths through college football, high-profile NFL draft positions, and career milestones.
The Bosa family football pedigree runs deep, tracing back to their father John Bosa, a former first-round draft pick for the Miami Dolphins. Both brothers developed under the same intense training regimen led by their father before dominating at Ohio State University and transitioning into elite professional edge rushers.
Joey Bosa: Career and Move to Buffalo
Joey Bosa entered the NFL as the third overall pick in the 2016 draft, selected by the San Diego Chargers. He immediately made an impact, winning the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award after recording 10.5 sacks in just 12 games. Over the next several seasons, he established himself as one of the league's most disruptive defensive ends and linebackers during the franchise's move to Los Angeles.
After spending nine seasons with the Chargers organization, Joey hit free agency and signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills. Joining Buffalo filled an immediate need for veteran pass-rush depth on the edge, giving the Bills defense a proven playmaker alongside their core front-seven defenders. In his first year in Buffalo, he recorded solid production with five sacks and multiple forced fumbles, adding instant playoff-caliber experience to the roster.
Nick Bosa: The San Francisco 49ers Star
Nick Bosa followed his older brother's footsteps to Ohio State and earned massive national acclaim before entering the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers drafted him second overall in the 2019 draft, and like Joey, Nick claimed the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honor in his debut campaign.
Nick quickly evolved into one of the most feared defensive linemen in football. He secured the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after leading the league in sacks during the 2022 season. Unlike his brother Joey, who moved across conferences to join Buffalo, Nick has remained a cornerstone of the 49ers defensive scheme, consistently earning Pro Bowl nods and anchoring San Francisco's pass rush.
Comparing Their Paths and Playing Styles
Although both brothers play the edge rusher position and share similar physical traits, their professional journeys took different shapes:
- Draft Pedigree: Joey went 3rd overall in 2016 to the Chargers, while Nick went 2nd overall in 2019 to the 49ers.
- Team History: Joey spent nearly a decade in Los Angeles before moving to the Bills, whereas Nick has spent his entire career in San Francisco.
- Accolades: Both won Rookie of the Year awards, but Nick has captured a Defensive Player of the Year trophy, while Joey has earned multiple Pro Bowl selections as a versatile edge defender.
Both players rely on elite hand-work, exceptional leverage, and relentless motors instilled by their father during their youth training days in Florida. You can track their ongoing season statistics and team updates directly on the NFL Official Site.
Common Misconceptions About the Bosa Brothers
Fans often confuse the two siblings due to their similar appearance, college background, and dominant playing styles. Here are a few mistakes to avoid when discussing them:
- Assuming they play for the same team: They have never played together in the NFL, despite occasional offseason speculation linking them. Joey's move to Buffalo keeps them firmly in separate conferences.
- Mixing up their draft years: Joey was drafted three years prior to Nick, making him the veteran of the sibling pair in professional service time.
- Overlooking their positional flexibility: While both primarily line up as defensive ends, injuries and scheme changes have required both to occasionally drop into hybrid linebacker roles or shift across the defensive line depending on defensive packages.
For deeper context on player contracts and historical franchise data, check out Pro Football Reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Joey and Nick Bosa twins?
No, they are not twins. Joey was born in July 1995, while Nick was born in October 1997, making Joey roughly two and a half years older.
Did the Bosa brothers play together in college?
They did not overlap on the field at Ohio State. Joey finished his final college season in 2015 just before Nick arrived on campus as a freshman for the 2016 season.
Who is the father of the Bosa brothers?
Their father is John Bosa, who played college football at Boston College and was selected sixteenth overall by the Miami Dolphins in the 1987 NFL Draft.
Do the Bosa brothers have other NFL relatives?
Yes, football talent runs through multiple branches of their family. Their maternal grandfather is Palmer Pyle, and their great-uncle is Mike Pyle, both of whom played in the NFL. Their uncle Eric Kumerow also played in the league, and their cousin Jake Kumerow has spent time as an NFL wide receiver.
