Nick Bosa is about to get paid. The San Francisco 49ers will likely make the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year the NFL's highest-paid defender. When that happens is unknown. It may be soon, though. Veteran players, including Bosa, must report to training camp in 15 days.
49ers insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area joined KNBR last week and shared his thoughts on where the team is in its negotiations with Bosa and his representation.
"I think that deadlines spur action, and there's no real set deadline," Maiocco said on the Murph & Mac show. "I think what will happen will be that if there is not an agreement reached before reporting day, he will still report. But I think that the 49ers would not expect him to step on the field without a new contract. And I don't think that Nick Bosa and his representation, more likely, wouldn't expect him to step on the field without a new contract."
While Bosa and his representation try to earn the star pass rusher the league's biggest defensive contract, the 49ers are likely working to ensure the deal is manageable and fits within the team's long-term building plans.
"I'm sure the 49ers have their idea of where he should be," Maiocco continued. "I'm sure the Bosa's representation has his idea of where he should be. I think it's a more difficult contract than probably the last three contracts they've had to do, which was a [TE George] Kittle year one, [LB Fred] Warner year two ... and then [WR] Deebo Samuel last year. Bosa, he's in kind of a different realm, coming off the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"So, will he be the top-paid defensive player in the league? I would think so. Although the 49ers could be saying, 'Well, Aaron Donald makes this much, so maybe you should be a step below him.'"
Bosa has admitted that he is "not necessarily" seeking to become the NFL's highest-paid defender. His priority is to remain with the team that made him the No. 2 overall pick in 2019.
"I'd love to be here, for sure," Bosa said after last season. "This is a great organization. They treat you as good as [anyone] can. I have amazing relationships here, so hopefully [I stay], yeah."
Obviously, his representation seeks to secure him as much money as possible.
"But I think it all gets figured out," Maiocco said. "The 49ers have certainly backed themselves into a corner. I mean, they have said he will be with the team. I guess what else could they say? But I would expect it to get done either a day or two before the start of training camp or maybe a day or two or three after the start of training camp."
Maiocco believes that Bosa will join his teammates in Santa Clara on July 25. However, if he hasn't inked a new contract by then, fans shouldn't expect the defensive end to participate in practices.
"Which for him isn't that big of a deal because he can do his own stuff away from the practice field, which he has been doing for most of the offseason," Maiocco added. "And when it's time for him to step on the field, he's ready to roll. And he's one of these guys that he doesn't need to play in the preseason games. He shows up in shape and just ready to go."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Maiocco below.
