The San Francisco 49ers were able to ink star pass rusher and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa to a record-breaking extension immediately ahead of Sunday’s opener.

Bosa’s five-year, $175 million extension made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. It also came after a lengthy holdout in which rumors popped up that San Francisco could entertain trade offers for the former No. 2 pick.

While head coach Kyle Shanahan shot down those rumors, we have an update on this. Fox Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer reported prior to Sunday’s action that five teams attempted to trade for the star edge rusher. Obviously, nothing came to fruition on that end.

Related: Unlock Fantasy Sports Success! Get FREE Insights & Tips From Dr. Roto and His Team Of Big-Money Fantasy Winners!

Whenever a player is holding out for contractual reasons, it makes perfect sense for other teams to at least put in a call. Given Bosa’s status as one of the best players in the NFL, that’s magnified further.

Nick Bosa stats (2022): 51 tackles, 48 QB hits, 19 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco likely never seriously entertained the idea of trading one of its best players. The team is in the midst of its Super Bowl window being open. Moving off an important cog immediately ahead of the season never really made sense, regardless of what was offered up by other teams.

As it turns out, Bosa and the 49ers were able to come to terms on an historic contract that pays him $34 million annually. The deal calls for $88 million fully guaranteed at signing with $122.5 million in total guarantees.

As for Sunday’s opener, the expectation is that Bosa will play between 30 and 40 snaps as he works his way back from the aforementioned holdout.

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San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa made his way back to the Bay Area late Wednesday night.

Bosa’s presence in Northern California came hours after he inked a record-breaking contract with San Francisco following a lengthy holdout.

“Hey faithful. I’m back, baby. Sorry for the scare, Bosa told those on hand as he landed in the Bay Area. “Let’s go win some games.”

The former No. 2 pick is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at $34 million per season. Bosa’s deal comes out to $170 million over five years with $122.5 million in total guarantees.

For both the star pass rusher and the organization, this ends what were extensive negotiations heading into Sunday’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s now likely to suit up in just a few days.

“I mean, there is some question because we haven’t seen him,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters when asked if Bosa would suit up on Sunday. “But I think you guys know how I’m talking. He’d have to have a beer belly and be out of shape or something, which that’s not in Bosa’s DNA.”

It’s not yet known how many snaps Bosa will take when San Francisco opens its regular season on the road. But Wednesday’s news was about a lot more than one game or the short-term. It was more about getting one of the best NFL players locked up for five years and moving on with the drama of the past several weeks.

San Francisco 49ers Take Care Of Offseason Priority With Nick Bosa Contract

That has to be considered the biggest takeaway here. Both Bosa and the 49ers’ brass had expressed confidence throughout the offseason that he’d be locked up before Week 1.

“It’s pretty high. I think I am pretty confident about that. I think I’ll get what I deserve,” Bosa told reporters back in in June about his confidence level that a new deal would get done soon.

The 49ers knew they had to back up that proverbial Brinks Truck for Bosa ahead of Week 1. It was going to be a complicated contract. There were a lot more factors involved than total value or average annual salary. Contract length, fully guaranteed cash and total guarantees were three factors the sides had to work through.

Bosa’s importance to the 49ers can’t be overstated. Last season saw the former Ohio State star rack up 48 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks. Not a single returning member of the 49ers outside of Bosa had more than three sacks a season ago. Again, his importance has been on display during the star’s four-year in run in Santa Clara.

Finances Of The Nick Bosa Contract And What It Means

San Francisco 49ers paying out big bucks. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)Getty Images

The full details of Bosa’s extension are not yet known. That is to say, fully guaranteed cash and yearly salary cap break down.

What we do know is that Bosa’s $34 million annual salary makes him the highest-paid defender in NFL history, just over $2 million more than Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald. His $122.5 million in practical guarantees ranks a whopping $22.5 million more than the second highest-paid defender, Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.

Practical guarantees are just an industry way of saying cash that is guaranteed for injury only. Once the fully guaranteed total comes out, we’ll know more about the overall structure of Bosa’s contract.

The structure is going to be important when it comes to San Francisco’s long-term salary cap health. By virtue of frontloading other massive deals in the past, a lot will have to be done following the 2023 campaign.

In addition to Bosa, the 49ers now have six players who are all among the highest-paid at their respective positions on a per-year basis in the NFL. Of that group, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Trent Williams and Fred Warner are set to count a combined $92-plus million against the cap in 2024. Three other players — Deebo Samuel, Arik Armstead and Charvarius Ward — have combined cap hits of $73-plus million. That’s $165 million allocated to seven players.

We’ll see some salary cap gymnastics from the 49ers’ brass moving forward. That happened on Wednesday, shortly after Bosa inked his extension. San Francisco saved north of $23 million by restructuring the contracts of Kittle and Williams.

Per Spotrac, San Francisco now has the third-most cap room in the NFL at $24.62 million. In fact, this figure will grow once the details of Bosa’s contract come out. His figure for 2023 will be dramatically smaller than if he had played under his original $17.85 million salary.

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There’s no reason to believe the 49ers are going to make a big move with that excess of money. But it does give them some flexibility should a player at a need position become available ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline. We saw this come into play after San Francisco acquired McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers last season.

The likelier scenario is that a vast majority of this money will roll into next season, creating more long-term flexibility in the process.

The 49ers made a big commitment Wednesday by signing Bosa to a record-breaking contract. It will have some financial ramifications moving forward. That’s for sure. But it’s a move they needed to make in order to keep that championship window open.

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Formerly of Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus and Fox Sports.

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Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers was a holdout from training camp as the former No. 2 pick looked to cash in on a long-term contract. Things were trending in the direction of him missing Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

About that? Conversations between Bosa and the 49ers have now turned into a record-breaking contract for the star edge rusher.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Bosa has agree to a five-year, $170 million contract extension with $122.5 million guaranteed.

Related: Unlock Fantasy Sports Success! Get FREE Insights & Tips From Dr. Roto and His Team Of Big-Money Fantasy Winners!

This makes Bosa the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, surpassing Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams in the process. In addition to this, Bosa is now the 15th highest-paid player in the league on a per-year basis.

In no way should this come as a surprise. Throughout the offseason, both Bosa and the 49ers seemed confident something would get done as the former No. 2 pick was set to play under the final year of his rookie contract in 2023.

“It’s pretty high. I think I am pretty confident about that. I think I’ll get what I deserve,” Nick Bosa on confidence level he’d get a new deal back in June.

For both Bosa and the 49ers, this was an absolute no-brainer. He might be the most valuable non-quarterback in the NFL and is getting paid like it. It just took longer than expected.

Related: Nick Bosa and the NFL’s top-100 players of 2023

Nick Bosa contract and what it means for the San Francisco 49ers

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Bosa was seen as a generational pass rush prospect. He lived up to those expectations out of the gate, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors en route to helping San Francisco to a surprise Super Bowl appearance.

After missing all but two games of the 2020 campaign due to a torn ACL, Bosa returned to form the following season by registering a league-best 21 tackles for loss to go with 18.5 sacks. He took that performance to an entirely new level in 2022.

• Nick Bosa stats (2022): 51 tackles (19 for loss), 48 QB hits, 18.5 sacks

Bosa spearheaded a 49ers defense that ranked No. 1 in pretty much every major statistical category. He did this despite not getting much help from other on San Francisco’s defense from a pass-rush perspective.

For the 49ers, handing out the richest contract for a defender in league history has the team set moving forward. Core players such as running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tackle Trent Williams and linebacker Fred Warner join Bosa in being locked up long term.

The next goal for the Super Bowl contenders will likely be breakout wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. He’s entering his fourth season in the NFL and will hit free agency following the 2024 campaign after San Francisco picked up the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick’s contract.

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When Nick Bosa undertook an expected offseason absence, reported for minicamp but didn’t participate, then missed all of training camp and the preseason, the San Francisco 49ers understood.

Bosa, in the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, wants a new deal. And that’s more than fair and understandable because he’s among the NFL’s best defensive players.

But the Niners’ regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers is only 10 days away and they’re admitting to being surprised a deal still isn’t done.

“Yeah, but that’s where it’s at,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said Thursday during his post cutdown media availability.

Rapper Lil Wayne interviews former NFL linebacker John Lynch at ESPN the Magazine’s NEXT Big Weekend 2009 Super Bowl Party on January 30, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for ESPN the Magazine)

49ers’ John Lynch Is Normally Awesome

A little background: Lynch is a Salt of the Earth kind of person. Yes, he was a fierce hitter as a safety during his Hall of Fame career, but off the field he’s friendly and approachable. Just a good guy.

But the Bosa thing seems to be grating on him a little bit. His answers on the subject, ringing with optimism at the start of training camp, are close to curt now.

Like when he was asked Thursday if there are any updates on the negotiations.

“No,” Lynch replied. “No updates.”

End of answer.

Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 07, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Nick Bosa Holdout Is Holding Up 49ers

Compare that to how Lynch talked when asked about the other edge rushers on the roster — none, by the way, nearly as accomplished as Bosa:

(Feel free to skip the quote because it’s long but proves the point Lynch is happy to talk about stuff. Just not Bosa contract stuff).

“I really like the group,” Lynch said. “For you guys to know, we announced, I think [coach] Kyle [Shanahan] talked about [WR] Danny Gray going to IR, [DL] Robert Beal will as well. He’s coming off a hamstring that he re-injured. We thought the best thing for Robert, he’s a guy we really like and are excited to work for, but we’ve got to get that thing right.

“To qualify for the short term, he had to make our 53. He’s a guy who showed a lot and we’re thrilled about the prospect of working with him going forward, but we’ve got to get him back so that he’s ready. So, we’ll go through that process.

“Drake Jackson has had a tremendous offseason and we’re very excited to see that come to fruition on the field. [Clelin Ferrell], he’s a fit, he’s a Niner. The way he plays, how he plays, his talents, his skillset, he plays hard, all those things. We’re excited about him. Kerry Hyder is just a pro’s pro, always in the right place. He’s a good football player. Austin Bryant is another guy who’s a very good scheme fit that we identified. Very excited about him moving forward.”

Get the drift?

Not yet?

Niners GM John Lynch at the NFL Combine. (Getty Images)

Would 49ers Trade Nick Bosa?

Well, John, what about that Reddit post that contends the team is thinking about trading Bosa? Any chance of that? Any, he’s on the team right now, GM speak?

“No,” Lynch said. “Real simple.”

Shanahan was more upbeat. The coach continues to expect a deal because, well, there is activity even if there hasn’t yet been achievement.

“I’m really hoping it gets done,” the coach said. “I know they’re working tirelessly at it … but hopefully we can get him in here sooner than later.”

As negotiations continue with the regular season beckoning, both sides want to find a sort of sweet spot to get an agreement.

Bosa’s representation initially swung for the fences. They wanted their 25-year-old client to match or beat the annual average salary of the league’s highest-paid defender Aaron Donald. Donald averages $31.6 million per season.

And …

Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams throws the ball as he is pressured by Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Nick Bosa Wants A BIG Contract

Bosa’s team also wanted to beat the guaranteed money older brother Joey Bosa got from the Chargers — which is $102 million.

It is not known where the 49ers are on all that, but obviously they didn’t simply fold and offer Bosa everything he wants.

And this just in: Bosa has so far been worth the asking price because last season he collected a league-leading 18.5 sacks and was the Defensive Player of the Year.

The situation is the most pressing one the 49ers have now in an offseason they’ve dealt with a lot of pressing stuff. Remember, they moved on from former starter Jimmy Garoppolo, traded Trey Lance, and managed Brock Purdy’s return from elbow surgery.

So the club and Bosa have 10 days to find common ground.

For John Lynch’s sake.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Given the magnitude of the league-rattling move the San Francisco 49ers made to get their quarterback of the future, it’s hard to call any offseason more critical than what they did in 2021.

But, in part because rookie signal-caller Trey Lance didn’t take over after the Niners traded up to No. 3 to draft him, this offseason is nearly as important. Many of the decisions coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and their staffs make this offseason will be geared towards helping Lance in 2022 when, presumably, he takes over as the long-term starter.

With that in mind, here’s a look at what the Niners must do to again be a Super Bowl contender.

Extensions for Bosa and Deebo

Much like in recent years with the likes of tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner, the Niners have two franchise centerpieces due for massive contract extensions: defensive end Nick Bosa and wide back Deebo Samuel. Also like Kittle and Warner, deals for both are unlikely to happen until late summer.

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Still, the Niners have planned for both.

“We fully understand these guys are pillars of what we’re trying to do here,” Lynch said. “We’ve been blessed that we’ve been aggressive, because we’ve had a lot of players that we believe are some of the best in the league at what they do. And these guys are no different. … I’ m sure that we’ll find a way to get that done. It’s been budgeted for.”

Get quarterback clarity ASAP

The idea that the Niners will again keep starter Jimmy Garoppolo is far-fetched, despite San Francisco’s efforts to publicly maintain that piece of leverage. Garoppolo, meanwhile, expects to be traded and would like a say in where he lands.

“I’ve got a long career ahead of me,” Garoppolo said. “I’m excited about the opportunities to come. I just want to go to a place where they want to win.”

There appears to be no shortage of recent playoff contenders in need of a quarterback. Pittsburgh, Washington, Denver, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Indianapolis are but a handful of the teams who could be in the Garoppolo market.

Ideally, a trade would come together sooner than later even though it can’t become official until the new league year opens March 16. That would give the Niners some certainty on how much cap space they have to negotiate with their free agents and make outside additions. It would also allow Garoppolo to help steer his destination before this year’s game of quarterback musical chairs stops.

It would also clear the decks for Lance to move ahead as the starter and give San Francisco a chance to find a capable veteran backup — Tyrod Taylor, perhaps? — in free agencies.

Settle the salary cap

As it stands, the Niners figure to enter the new league year roughly $10 million over the salary cap. They must be in cap compliance with their top 51 salaried players by March 16.

Getting the Garoppolo situation settled is the most important piece of the Niners’ offseason financial equation, as trading him would instantly save $25.55 million.

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Defensive end Dee Ford is another expected departure, though his situation is more complicated. Ford had a $4.6 million roster bonus fully guarantee on Feb. 15 because of injury, which means the Niners can save only $2.4 million by releasing him. That savings can only be realized by including a post-June 1 designation and can’t be used until after that date.

Which means the Niners, in addition to moving Garoppolo, will have to explore other avenues to create cap space. The most common way to do that would be with simple contract restructures (converting base salaries into signing bonuses that can be spread out over the remaining years on a contract). Kittle, defensive lineman Arik Armstead and free safety Jimmie Ward are among the targets for such a move, with the Niners able to save up to roughly $24 million by restructuring their contracts.

Doing all of those things could give the Niners about $40 million in cap space for 2022.

Keeping their own

Once again, the 49ers have a lengthy list — 33 players — set to hit some form of free agency. Among the scheduled unrestricted free agents are left guard Laken Tomlinson, cornerbacks Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams, defensive tackle DJ Jones, safety Jaquiski Tartt, defensive end Arden Key and running back Raheem Mostert. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair heads the group of restricted free agents.

Last year, when the pandemic kept the salary cap down and depressed the market, the Niners kept more free agents than expected. Similar factors could be at play this year but players like Tomlinson, Jones and Key should have plenty of suitors.

Keeping that trio should be the top priority, but even retaining two of the three would be considered a win.

Outside help on the offensive line and at cornerback

Depending on how much cap flexibility the Niners can create, what they’re budgeting for Samuel and Bosa and which free agents they can keep, they also should be seeking help at cornerback and on the interior of the offensive line. Perhaps they’ll have to wait until the NFL draft for such reinforcement, and with three picks on Day 2 (but none in the first round) they have the resources to continue adding at those spots.

If they can figure out a way to make it work, adding a difference-maker at cornerback in free agency could vault the Niners’ defense into one of the league’s best. That doesn’t mean they have to spend the type of money that will go to a top free agent such as New England’s JC Jackson or Tampa Bay’s Carlton Davis if either hits the open market. But a proven veteran who will be pricey but not bank-breaking on a shorter deal (think Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore) would make a lot of sense.

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SANTA CLARA, Calif .– If everything goes according to plan by Sept. 12, defensive Nick Bosa will be on the field ready to play the Detroit Lions in the San Francisco 49ers’ season opener.

Bosa, who spoke to the Bay Area media for the first time since tearing an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee last September, left little doubt on Thursday that, barring any unforeseen setbacks, he will be ready for the 2021 season to start.

“I looked at the schedule but I knew when it was an early injury [last year], for the most part, I’d probably be ready to go for week 1, “Bosa said.” And everything is tending to be right now. So I hope to step it up over time and be ready to give all I have in Week 1. “

In the first days of the Niners training camp, Bosa worked in individual exercises, but kept out of one-on-one rush and team exercises. He arrived at camp and weighed around 260 pounds compared to the 263-265 he’d played in in 2019 in hopes that he could add a bit more speed on his return. He said he was moving “better than I’ve ever done”.

Bosa won the 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award after posting 47 tackles, nine sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 60 quarterback pressures. A promising start to 2020 was derailed by the knee injury against the New York Jets in Week 2 and resulted in a long recovery process away from his team.

After knee surgery, Bosa spent much of his time with brother Joey, family, and girlfriend in Southern California and at home in Florida. The arduous rehabilitation and the lack of football made Bosa’s mind wander at times.

“My thoughts went to some dark places, especially when football is a really big part of your life,” said Bosa. “And now you just value your family more.”

Bosa also said he was grappling with the decision on whether to have the COVID-19 vaccination. He came to his media meeting on Thursday wearing a mask and is attending the NFL’s required protocols for unvaccinated players.

“I’m evaluating everything right now,” said Bosa. “I haven’t made a decision yet. But follow the logs and see where it goes.”

When Bosa will take part in the full training sessions, there is still no fixed schedule. But he’s impressed teammates and coaches with where he’s at in the process.

“Nick takes care of himself and is better than anyone I have ever met,” said coach Kyle Shanahan. “The guy has a one-pronged mind and it’s great. So you knew he’d come in great. And now the time has come, you need to know how much time has passed since the injury. He moves and looks like that Being a player is not a problem. It’s all about building him up properly. … We take our time for him and we’re smart. “

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