Nick Bosa wins AP Defensive Player of the Year
Feb 9, 2023, 6:16 PM | Updated: Feb 10, 2023, 8:24 am
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after sacking Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
To the surprise of nobody, Nick Bosa has been voted the best defensive player in the NFL for the 2022 season.
The San Francisco 49ers defensive end was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year at the 12th Annual NFL Honors show Thursday. Nick Bosa received the award over stiff competition, including Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones and Cowboys’ linebacker Micah Parsons.
Bosa, 25, finished the 2022 regular season as the league leader in sacks at 18.5 in 16 games played. Adding 51 combined tackles, 19 TFLs and 48 QB hits, Bosa was a wrecking ball of enormous proportions for the Red & Gold. His best game came against the Miami Dolphins in Week 13, registering three sacks and one forced fumble in a 33-17 win.
His play also resonated with those around him, as teammates made the case for Bosa winning the most illustrious award of all.
“I think today secured his defensive MVP. I don’t know how it doesn’t. If you look at what he does every Sunday compared to everyone else around the league whether it’s offense or defense, I don’t know why he’s not in the MVP conversation,” tight end George Kittle said after Week 16’s win over the Commanders.
Never a doubt ¯_(ツ)_/¯@nbsmallerbear is the AP Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/SddNXf70GA
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) February 10, 2023
“In my heart of hearts, he deserves to be the Defensive Player of the Year in our league,” 49ers’ general manager John Lynch said about his star pass rusher. “And I hope that comes his way because he’s earned that. He’s a fantastic football player, he’s a game changer of a football player.”
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, the Ohio State alum is set for a massive payday in the near future. Despite the team’s lack of salary cap flexibility, the 49ers feel confident that both sides will reach a deal sooner than later.
“He’s represented by very good and capable people. And you heard Nick yesterday, he never seems to get too excited, he’s pretty chill about the whole thing and I think with that in mind and each of us wanting the same thing, we’ll be able to come to an agreement,” Lynch added.
The 12th Annual NFL Honors aired Thursday, Feb. 9th at 6 p.m. PST on NBC
