Browns reporter addresses Joey Bosa rumors after Myles Garrett trade

The Cleveland Browns presumably needed help at pass-rusher before the club traded two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge-rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round draft pick and additional compensation earlier in June. 

Meanwhile, former Ohio State star Joey Bosa remains an available free agent. While some have linked Bosa with Cleveland, Browns reporter Jason Lloyd of The Athletic poured cold water over such speculation during a recent appearance on "The Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show."

Joey Bosa and the Browns not a fit for each other?

"I don’t think it’s a fit," Lloyd explained, per J.R. DeGroote of Heavy. "I don’t know why the Browns would waste reps on a guy who clearly isn’t part of their future. You have plenty of young guys you want to get a look at. And from Bosa’s perspective, why would you come here? If you go anywhere, wouldn’t you go to San Francisco and play with your brother?"

Of course, Lloyd was referencing how Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa's brother, features for the San Francisco 49ers. Numerous reports have hinted that Joey will eventually end up in San Francisco, and the 49ers could be in the market for a proven pass-rusher ahead of the upcoming season. 

Browns reporter gives harsh reality check about the team's current situation

The 49ers and the New England Patriots are two advertised contenders that, on paper, could be interested in a player such as Joey Bosa. Meanwhile, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Browns fifth among the betting favorites at +1050 odds to finish the 2026 campaign with the fewest wins in the league as of Tuesday morning. Such information may show why Joey Bosa could pass on the Browns if they called about his services. 

"This is going to upset people, but veterans at the end of their careers come [to Cleveland] because they don’t have other options," Lloyd continued. "If you have other options, you will take them. With a team that has the record the Browns have had and the reputation the Browns have had, if you’re a veteran toward the end of your career, you’re playing for the Browns because they paid you the most money or were one of the only teams to show interest. It’s just the reality of where they’re at. But hopefully, a year from now, we’re having a different conversation about how appealing they are for a veteran to play for." 

The Browns don't have a chosen starting quarterback on their roster as of the closing days of spring. Thus, they likely have no reason to overpay Joey Bosa to make him a one-year rental before training-camp practices get underway in late July.