Defensive end Nick Bosa knew he had a chance to go to a good team when he heard whispers that the San Francisco 49ers were interesting in drafting him No. 2 overall. But could he have imagined this?
Bosa, in his first NFL season, is preparing to play against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. He has been a difference-maker for a bolstered defense that finished with one of the league's best pass rushes, thanks in large part to Bosa.
The rookie defender has his sights set on the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and has an excellent chance to earn the honor. It's something he has thought about since the 49ers called his name during the draft.
"[Winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year] has been a goal since I came to the league," Bosa told Michael Irvin during Super Bowl LIV Opening Night on Monday. "I wanted to be the best player in my class or thought of as the best player in my class. It would mean a lot to get that one, for sure."
49ers CEO Jed York has said he started believing his team could make a championship run as soon as it drafted Bosa. What does the rookie think about his boss saying something like that?
"That's awesome," Bosa responded. "He's been unbelievable to me. He's welcomed me in. He's as involved as any owner. I know it's not like that with all the teams. I appreciate everything he does, and I'm going to keep playing my butt off for him."
With Super Bowl LIV Opening Night complete, the next time the 49ers and Chiefs will be together is on Sunday when they kick off the big game from Hard Rock Stadium.