The will-he-won’t-he saga between the current Defensive Player of the Year and the 49ers is dragging on and the DE might not be packing down for the opening week clash against the Steelers.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year has been at loggerheads with the 49ers upper management and will likely miss the first few weeks of the season.
The contract holdout has been prolonged, with Bosa staying away from preseason training camp.
The San Francisco team won the NFC West Conference last season with a 13-4 record, but without Bosa they will struggle to get off to a decent start.
The 49ers will have to start Drake Jackson and Clelin Ferrell as defensive ends for the Sunday clash against the Pittsburgh team.
The two combined for five sacks last season, a far cry from the 18.5 Bosa won on his own.
From @NFLTotalAccess: The #49ers and star edge Nick Bosa need a significant breakthrough to get him back on the field. pic.twitter.com/aD1HCQc8me
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2023
The former Ohio State DE won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season in 2019 after being selected as the number two overall pick.
He is in the fifth year of his 49ers contract and is/was expected to earn $17.9 million, but with Rams DE Aaron Donals signing a three-year $95 million deal last season, Bosa is looking for a bigger payout.
Boasting 43 sacks in 51 games, Bosa could top the NFL record for a tight end, but not before the new season kicks off.
