Chargers Joey Bosa Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for December

The San Diego Chargers outstanding rookie defensive end Joey Bosa has been honored with another NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award. He is the first defensive end to receive the honor twice since future Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney managed the feat in 2002.

Bosa, despite missing the first month of the season to an injury, finished his season with 10.5 sacks to lead all rookies. He also collected six sacks over the season’s final five games.

The Chargers’ selection of Bosa with the third overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft was a bit of a surprise for some as there was some doubt where he would fit into John Pagano’s base-34 defense. Then his extended contract dispute that lasted throughout all of training camp and nearly all of the preseason cast further doubt upon how the top non-quarterback pick would perform in his rookie season. All of those concerns were, in hindsight, rather obviously misplaced as he had one of the best rookie seasons by an edge defender in history.