Could 49ers' Nick Bosa land monster extension with historic defensive contract in 2024?
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has been everything the team hoped he would be when drafted with the second-overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
Nick Bosa
Pick #2 by #49ers
• 17.5 sacks in 29 games since 2016 (5th-most in Big 10)
• 5th #OhioState defender drafted Top 3 in Common Draft Era
• 49ers: 37 sacks in 2018 (T-22nd in NFL)
#NFLDraft @OhioStateFB
He exceeded expectations in his rookie season as he won Defensive Rookie of the Year, recording nine sacks, 47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, one interception, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
The following season, he was limited to just two games as he suffered a torn ACL vs. the New York Jets.
He bounced back with a strong 2021 season, recording 15.5 sacks, which was the fourth-most in the league. This past season, he led the league in sacks with 18.5 and is the favorite to win Defensieve Player of the Year.
On July 25, 2019, Bosa signed a four-year deal with the 49ers worth $33.5 million featuring a $22.5 million signing bonus.
Before the start of this past season, the team picked up his fifth-year option for the 2023 season. He will be paid $17.8 million this season. With a player of his caliber and difference-making, the 49ers will likely try to agree on a long-term deal with Bosa before the season begins.
As the salary cap goes up each year, it went up to exceed $220 million for the first time this season. It went up by $16.6 million from last season. As of right now, four of the top five highest-paid defensive ends average over $20 million a season.
Bosa could get a massive contract extension worth around $25 million APY and the overall contract could exceed $100 million, depending on the length of the contract.
Top 5 highest paid DEs in the NFL
As of right now, the top five highest-paid defensive ends in the league are Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Leonard Williams, Von Miller and Cameron Jordan.
Bosa will in all probability join the top five when he gets paid and could end up being number one with the contract the 49ers offer him. If Bosa elects not to agree to terms with the 49ers before next offseason, he could test the market and get paid even more by a team with a higher salary cap.
His brother, Joey, got a massive five-year, $135 million contract extension on July 28, 2020, which at the time made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
Joey is considered a linebacker, so him and Nick aren't in the same category, but with Nick hitting the market next offseason, it will be interesting to see if his contract surpasses his brother's.