San Francisco 49ers star edge rusher and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa is currently a hold out from training camp.
Bosa, 25, is looking to cash in on what will likely be a record-breaking contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. While both sides seemed optimistic that something would get done earlier in the summer, nothing has come to fruition yet.
That could soon change. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on Wednesday that the 49ers and Bosa will figure out a way to get this deal done soon, likely making the former No. 2 pick the highest-paid defender in NFL history.
Schefter pointed out that Bosa’s agent, Brian Ayrault of CAA Sports, also represents Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. He’s currently in negotiations with the Bengals about a contract extension, too. That could be holding things up to some extent.
Nick Bosa contract: 4 years, $33.55 million, $17.86 million salary in 2023
Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald is currently the highest-paid defender in the NFL at $31.67 million annually. EDGE rusher T.J. Watt comes in second ($28 million) with Bosa’s brother, Joey, finding himself third at $27 million.
For Bosa, it’s all about being paid fair-market value and getting long-term security. The holdout makes sense in that he doesn’t want to risk injury without a new contract. We saw the injury scare the aforementioned Burrow suffered earlier in training camp.
“I don’t like not having one of our best players here. We’ve got a really good track record that I’m proud of as a group of having our players in, but I also understand it. And understand that we’re going to have to exhibit some patience and understand that ultimately this thing will work out.”
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch on Nick Bosa’s holdout
Last season saw Bosa record 48 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks. He also led the NFL in quarterback pressures while ranking as one of the best run-stuffing defensive ends in the game. Needless to say, his importance to the 49ers is real.
Any new contract will likely net Bosa north of $32 million annually, making him the highest-paid defender in NFL history. From there, it will be all about fully guaranteed cash and the like.