49ers pick up Nick Bosa’s fifth-year option

Bosa is now signed through the 2023 season. That attaches the former No. 2 overall pick to a $17.85M salary for 2023.

Despite missing most of the 2020 season due to injury, Bosa has made two Pro Bowls so far in his career.

Bosa became extension-eligible in January, and GM John Lynch said a new deal for the impact defensive end has been budgeted. Although the 49ers have run into complications with Deebo Samuel‘s extension, no clouds have yet emerged regarding the team and Bosa’s future. The 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year bounced back from a September 2020 ACL tear to record 15.5 sacks and an NFL-leading 21 tackles for loss last season.

San Francisco’s path toward Bosa and Samuel re-ups has also seen Jimmy Garoppolo‘s contract become an obstacle. With barely $700K in cap space, the 49ers rank last in the NFL in available funds. A Garoppolo trade would clear $25.6M off the team’s books. A deal is still expected, but the surgery Garoppolo underwent on his throwing shoulder has complicated matters.

Bosa will be expected to land a deal north of T.J. Watt‘s current market-setting pact. Watt’s $28M-per-year extension topped Joey Bosa‘s deal. The younger Bosa could become the NFL’s first $30M-per-year defender, with the cap back on its usual course after the pandemic-induced reduction in 2021. 

Bosa, 24, is attached to an $895K base salary this season.