As good as 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has been in his three-year NFL career, there are still some things he can learn from some of the other standouts of the game.
During his media session after practice on Thursday, Bosa revealed two players he looks up to that he'd like to talk to someday. Both players have impressive career resumes and can teach Bosa a thing or two if they gave him the opportunity.
"I wouldn't mind talking to [Rams DT] Aaron Donald," Bosa said. "I've never really had any conversations with him -- just to hear what he says. I think [Bears LB] Robert Quinn, it would be interesting to hear from him."
Bosa's interest in Donald comes as no surprise, seeing as how Donald has long been recognized as the best defensive player in the NFL. With 97.5 career sacks, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and six consecutive first-team All-Pro selections, Donald is a surefire future Hall of Famer who any young defensive player would love to learn from.
"I'd definitely like to hear from Aaron Donald just to hear what his mindset is because he's so elite," Bosa said.
Quinn is an intriguing choice, but Bosa (46 tackles, 15 sacks in 2021) has a good reason for wanting to tap his brain. The 31-year-old Quinn has racked up 99.5 career sacks and is having one of the best years of his career (41 tackles, 17 sacks), and Bosa would like to know more about how he's done it given how consistently he's played against top competition -- in addition to asking Quinn about his highly effective chop move.
"I'd definitely ask him about the cross chop," Bosa said of Quinn. "But I think he's dominated more than just that move throughout the years. And I think it's interesting that he plays only on the right, because for guys that have had the numbers that he's had, he's always been going against the left tackle, which is usually the better player. So I think it's even more impressive that he's been able to do that."
It would certainly be great news for the 49ers if Bosa was able to learn from each player and add to his already impressive repertoire. If he does one day gets the opportunity to speak with Donald and Quinn, they'll join another star defender he's had contact with in the past -- Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones.
"I talked to Chandler a little bit though over DM," Bosa said.