As expected, the San Francisco 49ers have decided to exercise the fifth-year option of defensive end Nick Bosa, officially keeping the pass rusher with the team through the 2023 season. General manager John Lynch revealed the news during his pre-draft press conference.
Lynch added that Bosa is not with the team right now, opting instead to continue training in Florida with his brother, Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers. His absence has nothing to do with a potential contract extension. The 49ers believe they can get a long-term deal done.
"The fifth-year option just means in 2023, we executed that," Lynch said. "We can work on an extension at any time. And we've been in really good communication with Brian Ayrault, Nick's representation. At the appropriate time, we'll take those next steps.
"Nick is not here right now but that has nothing to do with [his] contract. He and Kyle communicated, and he's working out back in Florida—he and his brother have their trainer. And believe me, Nick Bosa is working. He shows that each and every time he shows up, that he's in elite shape."
Because Bosa has been named to two Pro Bowls in his short career, he is eligible for a fifth-year case salary equivalent to the franchise tender at their position. For Bosa, that means a fully-guaranteed salary of nearly $20.2 million in 2023. It also makes his base salary of $895,000 in 2022 fully guaranteed.
San Francisco drafted Bosa (6-4, 266) out of Ohio State with the No. 2 overall pick in 2019. He registered 52 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 32 quarterback hits, 15.5 sacks, a pass defensed, and four forced fumbles through 17 starts with the 49ers last season.
The defender's Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade of 90.0 in 2021 was a career-high. He recorded those impressive statistics coming off an ACL injury in 2020 that limited him to two games that season and expects to be even better in 2022.
"I'm really excited to have a full offseason just to build on what I got to last year," Bosa said after the season. "I wasn't really able to maximize my strength and conditioning stuff with getting my rehab right and stuff. So this year, I'm going to give my knee a lot of time to just chill because I haven't really given it any rest since I got hurt, so it needs some time, then I'm going to get back, and I'm going to get in the best shape of my life for sure. And I was in the best shape of my life last year, so it's going to be another level. I'm excited."
Bosa, 24, has recorded 105 tackles, 24.5 sacks, three passes defensed, an interception, and six forced fumbles in 35 game appearances and 33 starts through his three NFL seasons.