San Francisco 49ers superstar Nick Bosa believes that this offseason the team added a player that can rival NFL great Aaron Donald in terms of pure talent and impact.
The San Francisco 49ers’ 2022 campaign ended with frustration after falling short to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. Nevertheless, they entered this offseason still as one of the best teams in the NFL and many of the pieces from their NFC West-winning team will be back in 2023.
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However, the San Francisco 49ers didn’t rest on their laurels this spring and made one of the biggest signings of NFL free agency when they acquired Eagles defensive star Javon Hargrave to a massive four-year, $84 million contract.
The move was a shocking development since the 49ers already had arguably the best defense in the sport. Yet, the team decided to add to a serious strength by bringing in the best defensive lineman on this year’s market. However, one of the team’s best players believes the signing was far more impactful than some might understand.
San Francisco 49ers record (2022): 13-4, NFC West champions
During a chat last week with the San Jose Mercury News, All-Pro Nick Bosa was asked about his new teammate on the defensive line and he couldn’t help but gush about the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles veteran. Comparing him to two of the very best defensive linemen the NFL has season over the last decade.
- Javon Hargrave stats (2022): 11 sacks, 60 tackles, 1 forced fumbles, 16 QB hits
“People don’t really know how good he is overall. He’s not talked about — he might be, I don’t know — but I feel he isn’t quite talked about in the Aaron Donald, top echelon, Chris Jones. But I feel he played like that last year and throughout his career. So having him and Arik inside should be pretty fun.”
– Nick Bosa
That is high praise from one of the few other players in the NFL that is on the same level as future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Donald and Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones. The thought of Bosa and a player just as dangerous as the Los Angeles Rams star has to be a terrifying thought for NFC West teams heading into the 2023 season.