If you are a fan of the NFL, you might have heard of the Bosa brothers, Joey and Nick. They are both defensive ends who play for the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers, respectively. But how are they related, and what is their football background? Here is everything you need to know about the Bosa brothers.
Contents
The Bosa Brothers Come from a Football Family
Joey and Nick are not the only members of their family who have played in the NFL. Their father, John Bosa, was also a defensive end who was drafted in the first round (16th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 1987. He played for three seasons before injuries ended his career. John’s brother-in-law, Eric Kumerow, was also drafted by the Dolphins in the first round (16th overall) in 1988. He played for four seasons with the Dolphins and the Bears. Eric’s son, Jake Kumerow, is a wide receiver who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills.
The Bosa brothers also have a football lineage from their mother’s side. Their maternal grandfather, Palmer Pyle, played for three different NFL teams in the 1960s. His brother, Mike Pyle, played nine seasons with the Chicago Bears and won a Super Bowl. According to Nick, they have “good genes” for football.
The Bosa Brothers Grew Up in South Florida
Joey and Nick were born and raised in South Florida, where they attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale. They both excelled at football and were highly recruited by college programs. Joey was ranked as the third-best defensive end and the 19th-best player overall in the 2013 class by ESPN. He chose to play for Ohio State, where he became a star player and a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Chargers in the first round (third overall) in 2016.
Nick followed his brother’s footsteps and also played for St. Thomas Aquinas and Ohio State. He was ranked as the second-best defensive end and the eighth-best player overall in the 2016 class by ESPN. He also became a standout player and an All-American at Ohio State, but he suffered a core muscle injury that cut his junior season short. He decided to skip his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL Draft, where he was selected by the 49ers in the first round (second overall).
The Bosa Brothers Are Among the Best Defensive Players in the NFL
Joey and Nick have both proven themselves as elite defensive players in the NFL. Joey has made three Pro Bowls (2017, 2019, 2021) and has recorded 59 sacks, 291 tackles, and six forced fumbles in his six-year career so far. He signed a five-year, $135 million contract extension with the Chargers in 2020, making him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league.
Nick has also made an immediate impact in his three-year career so far. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 after posting nine sacks, 47 tackles, and one interception. He missed most of the 2020 season due to a torn ACL but bounced back strong in 2021. He made his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro team after leading the league with 15.5 sacks, along with 66 tackles and four forced fumbles. He is expected to surpass his brother’s contract when he becomes eligible for an extension in 2023.
The Bosa brothers have also helped their teams reach the playoffs multiple times. Joey has made two postseason appearances with the Chargers (2019 and 2023), while Nick has made three with the 49ers (2020, 2022, and 2023). Nick has also played in two NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl (LIV), but lost both times to the eventual champions.
The Bosa Brothers Are Close Off The Field
Joey and Nick have a close bond as brothers and as football players. They have nicknamed each other Big Bear and Smaller Bear, respectively. They often train together in the offseason and exchange tips on how to improve their game. They also support each other on social media and celebrate each other’s achievements.
The Bosa brothers have also faced each other on the field twice so far. The first time was in 2019, when Nick’s 49ers beat Joey’s Chargers 41-17. Nick had one sack and one tackle for loss, while Joey had four tackles and one quarterback hit. The second time was in 2021, when Joey’s Chargers beat Nick’s 49ers 34-28. Joey had two sacks and three tackles for loss, while Nick had one sack and two tackles for loss.
The Bosa brothers have said that they enjoy playing against each other, but they also hope to play with each other someday. They have expressed their desire to be on the same team in the future, either by joining forces on the Chargers or the 49ers, or by creating their own team. Until then, they will continue to dominate the NFL as one of the best brother duos in the league.
