The San Francisco 49ers did not have their most crucial defensive player present at their first padded practice on Monday, and there were few signs that Nick Bosa would soon halt his strike and join the club.
Bosa’s agent Brian Ayrault and general manager John Lynch said they continue to speak as they work to reach a long-term agreement that may make Bosa the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
“I don’t like not having one of our best players here,” Lynch said. “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. I’m very confident in that and we’re just going to have to have that right mix of urgency and patience.”
The 49ers have a history of rewarding their own talents, as evidenced by the costly extensions they’ve given to receiver Deebo Samuel, linebacker Fred Warner, and tight end George Kittle during the last three summers.
After winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and routinely ranking among the league’s top defensive ends since being selected second overall in 2019, Bosa’s deal could surpass all of those.
Bosa, who was crowned the league’s best defensive player last season, led the NFL with 18 1/2 sacks and has 43 in 51 career games. He presently has a deal for $17.9 million this season on the fifth-year option.
After receiving a three-year, $95 million extension in the offseason, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is the only defensive player with a contract worth at least $30 million annually. With his new contract, Bosa might surpass that.
Bosa faces fines of $40,000 per day and the possibility of receiving a game check for each exhibition game he skips if he refuses to report to camp. However, because he’s still in his rookie contract, the 49ers can choose to waive those penalties, and Lynch indicated that’s what they intend to do.
Lynch reacted to the fine by saying, “That’s not going to get him in here.” We’ll concentrate on the fact that we are both working toward the same goal.
Online sportsbooks have the San Francisco 49ers at 10/1 odds to win Super Bowl 58.
