SANTA CLARA, Calif. — From the second the San Francisco 49ers used the No. 2 total choose within the 2019 NFL draft on him, defensive finish Nick Bosa has been one of many franchise’s most essential gamers.
Within the greater than 4 years since, the one factor that is modified is that Bosa has in some way managed to turn into even extra essential to the Niners’ success. Any remaining doubt about simply how a lot Bosa means to the 49ers vanished Wednesday, when he agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract that features $122.5 million in ensures, sources advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal makes Bosa the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL historical past.
Getting Bosa again within the fold following a 43-day holdout that lasted longer than many anticipated was crucial for the 2023 49ers. Bosa is the reigning NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months, and there is a robust argument that he is the participant the Niners can least afford to lose. With Bosa, the Niners’ Tremendous Bowl aspirations are reputable. With out him, effectively, it’s miles harder to ascertain.
Since Bosa entered the league in 2019, San Francisco is 43-17 in video games he has performed and 5-10 in these he hasn’t, together with the playoffs. In that very same time-frame, the 49ers have the very best strain fee within the league (32%) when Bosa is on the sphere and the second lowest (25%) when he is not. He is anticipated to be in uniform Sunday in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. ET, Acrisure Stadium, Fox)
Bosa’s worth is not only a short-term factor. Now that he is underneath contract by means of the 2028 season, Bosa just isn’t solely the group’s most dominant defender, he is additionally the participant charged with bridging the hole between San Francisco’s present nucleus of stars and a younger, rising group that’s aiming to maintain their championship window open effectively past this season.
“I believe everybody’s a product of their surroundings, so everybody thinks they’re primarily based off of individuals they’re round,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “Then, whenever you get round completely different individuals otherwise you suppose you are a technique or one other after which … you see how devoted Bosa is to his craft, not simply right here however year-round.
“And I believe that is simply what makes everybody change. Everybody has a sure commonplace after which whenever you see different individuals at a better commonplace who additionally play at a better stage, that sort of brings all people up and exhibits you what it takes to be this good on this league.”
In simply 51 regular-season video games, Bosa has amassed 43 sacks, 156 tackles, 56 tackles for loss and 106 quarterback hits on his option to that DPOY, Defensive Rookie of the 12 months, three Professional Bowls and a first-team All Professional nod. The horrifying actuality for opposing quarterbacks and offensive linemen? Bosa will not flip 26 till Oct. 23.
Which suggests Bosa is simply getting into his prime. Teammates and coaches always rave about his self-discipline and work ethic, which is why they’ve little doubt he’ll return to the group in form and able to make an influence instantly. It is also why they suppose Bosa could be even higher coming off a profession 12 months.
“I assure you he in all probability will say that what he did final 12 months wasn’t sufficient,” left sort out Trent Williams stated of Bosa, who had 18.5 sacks in 2022. “I assure you he’d say he left just a few sacks on the market on the sphere and I assure you his primary focus is to take every thing off the plate and never depart a crumb. … Nick being the man he’s and being how he bought this good just isn’t as a result of he rests on his laurels. He is all the time his worst critic and he continues to care about getting higher. Being that he is 25 solely makes it scarier for guys.”
Bosa’s relative youth additionally makes him and linebacker Fred Warner, who will flip 27 on Nov. 19, the group’s two most distinguished youthful gamers underneath long-term contracts. Whether or not the 49ers maintain success for years to come back will rely on whether or not Bosa and Warner can proceed to supply at elite ranges on the sphere whereas offering the blueprint for younger Niners getting into the constructing.
Veterans similar to Williams (35), defensive tackles Javon Hargrave (30) and Arik Armstead (29), tight finish George Kittle (29), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (32), receiver Deebo Samuel (27) and operating again Christian McCaffrey (27) all have loads of good soccer in entrance of them, however they’ve doubtless already signed the largest contracts they’re going to get of their profession, a minimum of in San Francisco.
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Spears: Nick Bosa makes the 49ers reputable Tremendous Bowl contenders
Marcus Spears breaks down the burden of Nick Bosa’s contract extension with the 49ers.
Sooner or later, maybe within the subsequent couple of years, the Niners must reallocate these assets to a few of their rising younger stars. Gamers similar to security Talanoa Hufanga (23), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (26), wideout Brandon Aiyuk (25) and, most essential, quarterback Brock Purdy (23) are among the many names the Niners wish to see develop into greater roles, each by way of manufacturing and within the locker room pecking order.
And it is not inconceivable that Bosa has one other huge deal left in him earlier than his time with the 49ers is finished, as his group may begin negotiating his subsequent extension when he is 29 or 30.
Aiyuk is eligible for an extension for the primary time after this season. The importance of Bosa’s contract wasn’t misplaced on him.
“We’re all taking part in this sport, everyone knows what comes with the sport whenever you play the sport at a excessive stage, you get to reap the advantages like he did,” Aiyuk stated.
Upon his return to the 49ers after almost six weeks away and the biggest contract in franchise historical past in tow, Bosa will not be requested to do something completely different. The emotional and vocal management tasks nonetheless belong to Warner.
However Bosa units the instance for all of his teammates day by day, and now, for the subsequent six seasons, they will see what it takes to not solely preserve the Niners in rivalry however safe the monetary future for his or her households.
“That is the objective of the way you need to do it,” Shanahan stated. “You need your gamers to see that. You hope you get the blokes who play the correct manner and at a sure stage and you may reward them.”