One of the most crucial items on the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason to-do list has been signing Nick Bosa — the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of The Year — to a long-term extension.
While general manager John Lynch has expressed patience throughout the process, along with mentioning the two sides have had minimal contact thus far, it’s the quotes that do all the driving.
“I feel really confident. It’s hard for me. I want things done now. I always challenge that. Why can’t we? He wants to be here, we want him. Deadlines tend to drive these things, but our track record is — we get them done.”
John Lynch on Nick Bosa extension talks (NBC Sports)
There are a bunch of takeaways here, but the fact that Lynch’s mindset is one of confidence and a strong desire to get this deal done as soon as possible speaks volumes.
That should put any and all panicky 49ers fans at ease.
We all remember the incessant drama with wide receiver Deebo Samuel before eventually signing a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the club through 2025.
But there’s a significant difference this time around. Bosa, while seeking a monster deal that would likely make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, has also expressed patience.
Here’s what Bosa specifically had to say about a month ago.
“I’m definitely going to have patience and probably not worry about it for some time,” Bosa said at the end of January. “I have an amazing agent who will handle all of that and I’ll just enjoy my time off and get ready to roll next year.”
Nick Bosa on contract talks (NBC Sports)
For everyone involved, this is an ideal scenario for what might take some tricky cap maneuvering in order to make it all work. The good thing is, it sure sounds like they’ll do everything they can to make it work.
As for the dollar range, Aaron Donald was the top-paid defensive lineman in 2022 at $31.6 million per year. Figure that number as the noted starting point and go from there. Perhaps way up.
It’s also worth noting that Bosa has one more year under contract, but having their top edge rusher and team cornerstone head into some crazy free-agency scenario would be a disaster and might create some ill will.
This all brings us back to the original point mentioned by Lynch. He’s confident in a deal getting done but knows all too well these things don’t just happen overnight, and Bosa appears to be right on the same page.
A great sign for 49ers fans.
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