San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Insider predicts contract value for 49ers' Nick Bosa

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/24/23

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated has a figure in mind for what the San Francisco 49ers need to give superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa to get Bosa back with the club as soon as possible.

"Plain and simple, it’ll take making him the highest-paid defensive player in the history of the game," Breer said. "When all’s said and done, my guess would be $32M per year."

Niners general manager John Lynch has remained optimistic about getting a deal done with Bosa in time to have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who is in the final season of his rookie contract, on the field for Week 1 at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 10. Per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone, Lynch said during a Thursday appearance on San Francisco sports radio station KNBR that Bosa is "going to get a special contract."

Breer noted that Brian Ayrault, Bosa's agent, "is a tough negotiator who’s never been afraid to play hardball." Breer also mentioned that Bosa's camp is looking to top the four-year extension that could be worth over $112M total that star pass-rusher T.J. Watt received from the Pittsburgh Steelers in September 2021.

Sources: The #Steelers and star pass-rusher TJ Watt have a mega-deal. He’s going to sign a 4-year extension worth more than $112M — $28.003M average per year — with $80M fully guaranteed at signing. The highest paid defensive player in football.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2021

In Thursday's piece, Breer insisted that an agreement between Bosa and the 49ers "will get done." Lynch echoed that take during the radio segment.

"We're getting closer, and eager to bring this thing to a close," Lynch explained. "...Just know that we're working diligently to try to bring it to a close."

As of Thursday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the 49ers as second among the betting favorites at +400 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVIII. While Lynch confidently declared that Bosa "will be ready" for Week 1 despite his absence from practices, having the 25-year-old back around the team would likely go a long way toward ensuring he's his dominant self on the second Sunday of September.

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