Nick Bosa Signs Record-Breaking $170M Extension with 49ers
In a long-awaited development, Nick Bosa, the reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has put an end to his holdout by agreeing to a groundbreaking five-year, $170 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers. This historic deal, reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, includes an impressive $122.5 million in guaranteed money, and it comes with a unique twist—San Francisco will waive all fines accrued during Bosa’s holdout.
Nick Bosa now holds the title of the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, boasting an annual salary of $34 million, surpassing Aaron Donald’s previous record of $31.7 million with the Rams.
The star defender opted to sit out of both training camp and the preseason, prioritizing his health while awaiting a contract extension, following his exceptional 2022 season. Throughout this period, he diligently trained independently. However, contract negotiations took longer than expected, even surprising his own coach, Kyle Shanahan, who had initially anticipated Bosa’s return before the preseason’s end.
Coach Shanahan remains cautious about Bosa’s immediate playing time, stating, “We’ll be smart with it, and it’ll be based on the next 2 1/2 practices.” Nevertheless, Shanahan leaves no room for doubt, affirming that Bosa will indeed take the field for the 49ers in Week 1, humorously suggesting that Bosa would need to be out of shape to miss the opener.
Considering Bosa’s impressive performance over the past two seasons, this record-breaking contract appears justified. After overcoming an ACL tear in Week 2 of the 2020 season, Bosa has been a dominant force on the field, accumulating 34 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. His outstanding performance earned him his first All-Pro selection and the coveted Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022, setting the stage for a promising future.
While the 49ers are selective about their investments, Nick Bosa’s importance to the team was never in question. With a strong reliance on their defense during their successful run under Coach Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch, Bosa stands out as their top defender. The lingering question was when, not if, they would secure a deal with their star player.
Now, with the ink dry on the record contract, all eyes are on Bosa as he prepares to make his impact felt on the field once again for the 49ers in the near future.