Report: Nick Bosa, 49ers need a ‘significant breakthrough’ to end holdout
Sep 4, 2023, 5:30 PM | Updated: 5:47 pm
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The Nick Bosa contract negotiations have gone on longer than they should have, and it appears they’ll be continuing on that trajectory for now.
A report emerged Monday afternoon that the San Francisco 49ers and the star pass rusher would need a “significant breakthrough” to finalize an extension. The disagreement has casted doubt over Bosa’s chances to appear Week 1 for the 49ers. A team eyeing the Super Bowl, could be without their lead defensive end on the road in Pittsburgh.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport gave the update on NFL Total Access Monday, hinting at Wednesday as a crucial date to watch.
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
“Until there is a significant breakthrough, I do not [to see] expect Nick Bosa on the field for the San Francisco 49ers,” Rapoport said Monday. “It is a Monday today. Tomorrow’s Tuesday, and then Wednesday starts the game week…If he is not there Wednesday, obviously, that would not bode well for him being able to participate in this week’s game.”
Bosa, 25, has been eyeing a deal that would make him the richest non-quarterback in NFL history. While San Francisco is looking to keep him near the top of the defensive line market. That discrepancy is rumored to be in the range of four million dollars annually, with negotiations close to $2 million at this time.
While it may not come Week 1, the deal will be completed eventually, with both sides wanting to continue the partnership.
“It really isn’t a question of ‘is he going to be the NFL’s highest-paid pass rusher?’ It sounds to me like they’re already there, already past [OLB] TJ Watt,” Rapoport stated. “That’s not really what this is about…This is about ‘how close to Aaron Donald’s $31 million and some change he gets, or does he get over that?'”
The 49ers have declined to elaborate on negotiations throughout the process, wanting to keep those talks in-house. What is apparent is that both sides are standing firm in talks, having trouble getting the deal over the finish line. But with so little time before the start of Week 1, is it time to just give in to the player’s demands for the sake of the season?
One thing is for certain though; his teammates want him back on the field as soon as possible.
#49ers Talanoa Hufanga says he’s feeling well after battling cyst/knee in camp, would feel better with Nick Bosa here for Week 1 vs Steelers pic.twitter.com/iYucx4rqv1
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 4, 2023
“For us, we just gotta play with who we got. We’d love to have Bosa, obviously, I think that’s a no-brainer. Best defensive player in the NFL,” 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga said Monday. “For us, we just got to prepare as if he’s not gonna be here. Once he’s here, we’d love to have him.”
And so, the negotiations of Nick Bosa continue on for now, with no end date in sight.
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