The San Francisco 49ers were able to avoid a potential disaster when they worked out a contract extension with star wide receiver Deebo Samuel. He signed a three-year contract worth just over $71.5 million annually to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.
While the 49ers cleared one hurdle with that deal, they know it won’t be long until the next negotiation. The player most likely to be at the negotiating table opposite of them is pass-rushing extraordinaire, Nick Bosa.
Bosa was selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He got his career started with a bang, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and being named to the Pro Bowl team. He finished that season with nine sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 25 quarterback hits, one interception, two passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Unfortunately, his sophomore season was cut short as he tore his ACL in the second game of the season. But, he came back just as strong in 2021, getting right back on track with 15.5 sacks and an NFL-leading 21 tackles for loss.
Bosa has cemented himself as one of the premier EDGE defenders in the NFL and should cash in on a lucrative contract. He is confident that when the time comes, talks will go smoothly between him and the organization. But, he is also aware that the negotiations will take some time.
“I know it’s one of the hardest negotiation units up there with Paraag [Marathe, the 49ers’ executive vice president of football operations] and all those guys,” he told Inman. “But I think when they know your value.”
Based on what he has accomplished in his two healthy seasons, as he hasn’t missed a game in the NFL outside of the torn ACL, Bosa has put himself in a spot to be one of the highest-paid players at his position in the league. Right now, T.J. Watt, who signed his extension last year, has the highest annual value at $28 million.
For Bosa to break into the top five, he will have to top $23.5 million. Another strong season in which he finishes near the top of the league in sacks would certainly help when it comes to negotiating a big-money deal.
