Cheryl Bosa posted an edited photo on Instagram showing her sons Nick and Joey in 49ers uniforms, and fans immediately started speculating whether Joey might actually sign with San Francisco.

Social Media Sparks Speculation

The buzz began when Cheryl Bosa shared an edited image on her Instagram story depicting both of her sons, Nick and Joey, clad in 49ers uniforms. The image spread fast on social media, with fans reading it as a signal that Joey—still unsigned after his time with Buffalo—could be headed to the 49ers.

Cheryl's been pushing for this before. In 2024, after the Los Angeles Chargers released Joey, she posted a similar edited image of him in 49ers gear. She also pushed for a trade to the 49ers back in 2024. Of course, an Instagram edit doesn't mean anything's actually happening—but with Joey still available and the 49ers desperate for pass rushers, fans are eating it up.

A Glaring Defensive Void

The timing couldn't be better for this rumor: the 49ers desperately need pass rushers. The 49ers recorded just 20 sacks last season—the worst in the NFL. This number was notably lower than the next closest team, the New York Jets, who managed 26 sacks.

Things got worse when Bryce Huff retired. Bryce Huff—their best pass rusher with 46 pressures, 30 hurries, 11 QB hits, and 4 sacks—shocked everyone by retiring at 27. Clelin Ferrell, who had 4 sacks, is also a free agent, so the 49ers have a massive hole to fill.

Clearing Cap Space for a Potential Reunion

Then the 49ers made a money move that could make this happen. Nick Bosa restructured his deal and freed up $17 million in cap space. They converted $21.4 million of his salary into a signing bonus, which cleared $17.1 million in cap space.

That gives GM John Lynch $42.24 million in total cap space to work with. The 49ers wanted Joey last year after the Chargers cut him, but Buffalo beat them to it with a $9.5 million deal. Now they've got the money and the need to actually make it happen.

Joey Bosa's Track Record and Projected Role

Joey played 15 games for Buffalo last season, got 5 sacks, and led the league with 5 forced fumbles. That's his most games since 2021—a good sign for a guy who's been hurt a lot. He's got 77 career sacks since 2016, which ranks 10th in the NFL over that stretch.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell thinks it's more likely than not that the brothers end up together. Barnwell noted the 49ers' willingness to take

For the first time since high school at St. Thomas Aquinas in 2012, the Bosa brothers could actually play together in the NFL.