Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa is “expected to garner strong interest” from the Miami Dolphins, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Bosa, 29, doesn’t have to wait until free agency begins Wednesday to talk to, meet with, or sign with teams after he was already released by the Los Angeles Chargers last week. The San Francisco 49ers, who have Joey’s brother Nick Bosa on their defense, emerged as an early favorite to sign the former Chargers defensive end. But the emergence of the Dolphins as a contender for the elder Bosa is a bit of a surprise.

The Dolphins already have a trio of pass rushers in Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and Chop Robinson. However, they don’t have much to work with on their defensive line with Calais Campbell, Benito Jones, and Da’Shawn Hand all set to become free agents. While Zach Sieler has emerged as one of the better linemen in the NFL, the 280-pound Bosa doesn’t project as an ideal fit as a lineman in Miami’s 3-4 defense.

Bosa’s price tag and injury history could also give the Dolphins pause. The defensive end missed 12 games due to a groin tear in 2022, sat out seven games with a foot sprain in 2023, and dealt with wrist, back, and hip problems in 2024.

Still, the Dolphins finished near the bottom of the NFL in sacks during the 2024 season. Adding Bosa to the mix could provide defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver with the firepower up front to mix up alignments and scheme up pressures.

An added bonus to pursuing Bosa is that, because he was released by the Chargers and isn’t a free agent due to an expiring contract, he won’t count against the compensatory draft pick formula in 2026