Nick Bosa, star defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers, has secured his place in NFL history by signing a record-breaking contract extension, making him the highest-paid defensive player ever. The negotiations for this deal took longer than expected, but it’s official.
The 49ers and Bosa have agreed to a five-year, $170 million extension, with an astonishing $122.5 million guaranteed. This remarkable contract places Bosa at the pinnacle of NFL defenders, surpassing the earnings of Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive tackle. The details of this historic agreement were confirmed by a source with knowledge of the deal, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality requirements.
Nick Bosa, known for his exceptional skills, was in the final year of his rookie contract, set to earn $17.9 million. His holdout, while awaiting this extension, created anticipation and speculation in the NFL world.
At just 25 years old, Bosa has already demonstrated that he is among the elite players in the NFL. His performance in the 2022 season was nothing short of outstanding, with an NFL-leading 18.5 sacks, 51 tackles, two forced fumbles, and 48 quarterback hits. These remarkable statistics contributed significantly to the 49ers becoming the top-ranked defense in the league in 2022. His stellar performance earned him the prestigious 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and his first career All-Pro recognition.
Throughout his career, spanning 51 regular-season games, Bosa has achieved remarkable numbers, including 156 tackles, 56 tackles for loss, 43 sacks, and eight forced fumbles. His contributions have earned him three Pro Bowl selections and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2019.
Steve Wilks, the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, acknowledged Bosa’s unique abilities and versatility, emphasizing his solid all-around skills.
The San Francisco 49ers originally selected Nick Bosa as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, drawing from his standout college career at Ohio State. His older brother, Joey Bosa, is a four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nick Bosa’s historic contract extension marks a significant milestone in NFL history, underscoring his status as one of the game’s premier defensive talents.