SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Nick Bosa’s lengthy contract holdout ended four days before the start of the season for the San Francisco 49ers when he agreed to a contract extension that will make him the NFL’s richest defensive player ever.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that the two sides agreed to the contract and that Bosa is on his way to the team facility. Shanahan said he expects Bosa to be able to play in the season opener on Sunday at Pittsburgh despite missing all of training camp.
Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco lines up against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
ESPN first reported the extension and said it was worth $170 million over five seasons with $122.5 million guaranteed. The average annual payout of $34 million tops the previous mark of $31.7 million for Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the guarantees top the $102 million Bosa’s older brother, Joey, got from the Chargers in 2020.
Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the quarterback during the NFC Divisional playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on January 22, 2023, in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 19-12. (Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Bosa earned the lucrative new deal with stellar play since being drafted second overall in 2019. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year and was voted the top defensive player in the NFL last season when he led the league with 18 1/2 sacks.
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