The Detroit Lions are reportedly targeting a new pass-rushing partner for Aidan Hutchinson. The potential target is veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa.

With free agency heating up, the Detroit Lions are now linked to Joey Bosa of the Buffalo Bills, a former teammate of Josh Allen, as a potential fit alongside Hutchinson.

But will he make the cut?

The 30-year-old Joey Bosa was drafted by the San Diego Chargers as the 3rd overall pick in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft, out of Ohio State.  

In the last season, he joined the Buffalo Bills as a free agent on a $12.6 million contract. During his time with the Bills, he got decent game time of 15 games and attained a Pro Football Focus grade of 79.3. 

Ranked 17th out of 115 qualified pass rushers, he played for 563 snaps and recorded 22 tackles. The veteran pass rusher is widely known for his elite pass-rushing skills, high-motor playstyle, and disruptive power.  

That being said, he may not be the perfect impact player because of the hamstring injury he sustained against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. 

But he could surely be a perfect complementary player to pair with Hutchinson.

For the Detroit Lions, the fit comes down to production next to Aidan Hutchinson. That matters because Hutchinson already draws heavy attention from offenses. And adding a rusher who can convert pressures into sacks changes how offenses protect.

It is evident from the stats that if Bosa can stay available, even in a rotational role, his production alongside Hutchinson could give the Lions a more balanced edge presence.

But is it only upside in this potential deal?

Concerns Regarding Joey Bosa’s Signing for Aidan Hutchinson

The fit next to Aidan Hutchinson looks good on paper, but there are real concerns that the Detroit Lions can’t ignore.

Bosa has only managed 10 or more games in two of his last four NFL years.

Availability is the primary reason Joey Bosa missed games again in 2025, sitting out two contests, and that continues a pattern teams have been cautious about. 

Similarly, he missed 23 games over the period of three seasons (2022-2024) with foot, groin, hip, and back issues.

At this stage, it’s not just about how productive he is, it’s about whether he’s consistently on the field.

Detroit also has to manage its cap carefully. According to Over The Cap, Detroit has roughly $23.7M in available cap space, which might be plenty to fit Bosa, but it will remain under scrutiny, especially with extensions and future deals in play.

There’s also roster context. The Lions have already added Payton Turner from the New Orleans Saints and D.J. Wonnum from the Minnesota Vikings. That raises the question: Is another high-cost edge worth it?

What do you think? Should the Lions make the move, share your thoughts with us in the comments. Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote