Defensive end Nick Bosa, like many other San Francisco 49ers players, welcomed the first-round playoff bye the team earned by winning the NFC West. He used the time to rest and heal up.
"I took full advantage," Bosa told reporters before Tuesday's practice, and as the 49ers prepare for their playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The time to rest is over. Now, it's time to embark on a Super Bowl run. Of the first 11 draft picks selected last year, Bosa is the only one who is still preparing to play football.
Bosa fell into a fantastic situation upon entering the NFL. The team drafting him No. 2 overall was clearly better than its 4-12 record might have indicated. Now, in his first pro season, Bosa finds himself in the playoffs and just two wins away from a Super Bowl appearance.
"I got lucky coming into a really great team," Bosa said. "First year, get to play in the playoffs, get a bye week to start out. Not many people get this opportunity in their careers, so I'm just trying to latch onto the older guys and see what they're going to do to prepare. I'm listening to all the tips my coaches have.
"But I'm just super excited to still be playing football, and now every team you play is going to be a really good team, so we have to play our best."
Bosa finished his impressive rookie campaign with 47 tackles, nine sacks, two passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Bosa's 80 quarterback pressures recorded by Pro Football Focus are the most ever by a rookie and 14 more than any other rookie edge defender since the analytics site started accumulating data in 2006.
The defensive end was asked on Tuesday to assess his rookie season.
"I think it's still going on, so that's a good thing," Bosa responded.
