There aren’t many question marks for the San Francisco 49ers as they roll through training camp. Quarterback Brock Purdy is healthy and has assumed his role as the starter. The team is healthy and looks like one of the strongest teams in the NFL once again.

The only issue looming over the franchise is the contract extension for Nick Bosa. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has not been in training camp as he is awaiting a new contract from the team.

Bosa and his representatives have a clear goal in mind with his next contract; they want to either match or clear the deal Aaron Donald signed with the Los Angeles Rams. The star defensive tackle agreed to a three-year, $95 million contract last year and provides the 49ers with a baseline in negotiations with Bosa.

Unfortunately, those talks have not progressed in the manner the 49ers had hoped. There has been very little communication between Bosa’s representatives and the team, as things are at a bit of a stalemate.

That could spell some doom for the 49ers, as Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com provided an update that will worry fans of the team. According to sources Pauline talked to, there is a chance that Bosa won’t be back before the regular season begins.

“Sources tell me the Bosa situation could last a while and it’s not out of the question the three-time Pro Bowler could miss the start of the season due to the contract dispute.”

That is a worst-case scenario for the 49ers and Bosa. Because he is on his rookie contract, all the fines he has been tolling will be reimbursed, so he has no real incentive to report to training camp without a new deal.

This is something that San Francisco would prefer to get done as soon as possible. If Bosa isn’t in the lineup in Week 1, their entire game plan defensively will have to be changed. 

It would be impossible to replace the production that Bosa provides. In addition to that, without him in the lineup, it would mean the 49ers’ three top players in sacks from 2022 would not be on the field to start 2023.