Caraway: Nick Bosa must prove his value to the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are counting on Nick Bosa to anchor their pass rush once again in 2026, but Kenny Caraway believes the star defensive end’s production may not justify the type of contract he could soon command.

Caraway joined Sactown Sports’ Matt George and Kayla Anderson to preview the 49ers’ season and explained why his outlook on Nick Bosa has changed, particularly when it comes to Bosa’s value relative to his price tag.

“Nick Bosa is a good player,” Caraway said. “He’s a good player. I don’t want to minimize him and say like, ‘Oh, he’s really average.’ That’s not the case.”

The concern, according to Caraway, arises when Bosa is compared with the NFL’s truly dominant pass rushers and the salary that accompanies being viewed as one of the league’s best defensive players.

“When you talk about Nick Bosa and the type of money that he asked for, the type of money that he held out for just two years ago, and he’s already looking for a contract extension right now,” Caraway said. “He’s not him.”

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after sacking Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants during the first quarter in the game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

More on Nick Bosa

Caraway pointed to players such as Myles Garrett, T.J. Watt and Micah Parsons as the standard for a defensive player who can consistently change games regardless of who is lined up around him.

“Nick Bosa is just not that,” Caraway said.

Bosa’s 2022 Defensive Player of the Year campaign remains the high point of his career, but Caraway believes the seasons surrounding it have created a concerning pattern.

“He plays really well. He plays kind of average, then he gets hurt,” Caraway said.

That leaves Caraway questioning whether the 49ers should be willing to pay Bosa as the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player.

“I’m ready to move on this year if he’s asking to be the top defensive player salary-wise in the NFL,” he said.

That doesn’t mean Caraway believes the 49ers should move on from Bosa immediately. In fact, with Bosa back at practice and expected to travel to Australia for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, Caraway believes the 49ers need their star defensive end available.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers is introduced before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

“If they’re healthy, they got to play,” Caraway said. “This is a sprint right out the gate.”

Caraway believes the Week 1 matchup carries added importance because it is a divisional and conference game against a Rams team he views as one of the favorites in the NFC.

Still, he wants Kyle Shanahan to manage Bosa’s workload carefully.

“I want these guys out there. I want them playing, but I don’t need you having them out there like a marathon man,” Caraway said.

For Caraway, the immediate goal is simple: get the 49ers’ best players healthy and ready for Week 1, while allowing the season to determine whether Bosa ultimately proves worthy of another massive payday.

Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ Matt George and Kayla Anderson with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.

More 49ers content from Sactown Sports

• 49ers have ‘legit plan’ in place for Nick Bosa ahead of season opener
• 49ers trim roster to 53 Players ahead of season opener in Australia
• 49ers’ RB depth could change Christian McCaffrey’s role
• The 49ers’ O-Line could determine Christian McCaffrey’s ceiling
• Brooks: De’Zhaun Stribling is “the absolute real deal”

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers 2026 Schedule

• Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
• Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
• Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
• Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

Sac State Football ready to ‘flush’ loss ahead of home opener49ers have ‘legit plan’ in place for Nick Bosa ahead of season openerNBA insiders connect Jalen Duren’s future to Domantas Sabonis’ Kings uncertaintyReport: 49ers’ Nick Bosa, George Kittle to travel to AustraliaFaithful Flashbacks #6: Domination Over DenverInside UC Davis’ incredible comeback win over Portland State