San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is focused on the Green Bay Packers and probably doesn't care too much right now about NFL awards. Regardless, he has earned one. Bosa has been named the NFL Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).
The PFWA has selected @49ers DE Nick Bosa (@nbsmallerbear) as the 2019 Rookie and Defensive Rookie of the Year. @Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) is the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 14, 2020
No, not just the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, which he won too, but NFL writers voted him as the best NFL rookie this season, period. Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs was named the PFWA's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Bosa racked up 47 tackles, nine sacks, two passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble during his rookie regular-season campaign. His sack total ranks third among rookies, behind just Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars (10.5) and Maxx Crosby of the Oakland Raiders (10).
The rookie is coming off his first NFL playoff game and helped San Francisco beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-10 on Saturday to advance to the NFC Championship Game. Bosa had two sacks in the game.
"Obviously making the plays is good," Bosa said after this past weekend's win. "But, I mean, I try and bring the same effort, same technique, same everything every week. Today I got a couple sacks. That always helps. But most of the plays that I'm most proud of are the plays that weren't the sacks. Joe told me to finish today, I got a couple, so..."
RELATED 49ers Nick Bosa, Dre Greenlaw named to PFWA 2019 All-Rookie Team
Bosa earned a selection to the Pro Bowl and set a rookie franchise record with 16 tackles for a loss. His seven sacks to start the season tied for the second-most by a player in his first seven games since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.
"He's an incredible player," cornerback Richard Sherman said on Saturday. "Bosa, you can't say enough positive things about him and his play and his impact, run game, pass game. He's just a dominant player. He wants to be dominant every down. He never gets complacent. He's always working. Motor is always going. We're grateful to have him."
During the 49ers' Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers, Bosa joined Julius Peppers and Kevin Williams as the only rookies to record at least three sacks and an interception in a single game since 1982. He finished the regular season with the third-highest pressure percentage and fourth-highest pass-rush win percentage among rookies.
Bosa's 18 quarterback hits were the second-most by a rookie, behind just Von Miller of the Denver Broncos, who had 21 in 2011.
Bosa is the first 49ers player to be selected as the PFWA's Rookie of the Year and the fifth Niners player to receive Defensive Player of the Years honors – the first since 2011 when linebacker Aldon Smith won the Defensive Rookie award.