Will there be some rust on Nick Bosa's part when the San Francisco 49ers finally sign the star pass rusher to a contract extension? Those inside the building don't believe that will be the case.
"I didn't have abs like him [when I played], but I prided myself on being in better shape than everyone else," general manager John Lynch said Thursday morning. "But there's football shape, there's things like that. But Nick is real smart. I know he's probably been taking his training there, so he'll be ready, and we look forward to that day that he's back."
The 49ers sure could use Bosa on September 10 against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett, even if the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is on a pitch count. San Francisco's defense is much better with the talented pass rusher on the football field.
New 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is probably eager to integrate Bosa into his defense. It was the top-ranked unit last season, thanks in part to Bosa's league-leading 18.5 sacks.
"I think we all know that he's unique," Wilks told reporters after Thursday's practice, the last of the week. "I think you can definitely do different things with him, as we've done in the past, particularly on third down and certain things that you want to try to free him up.
"But he's solid all the way around. So I don't think, once again, it's going to be an issue when that time comes. Hopefully it's soon."
On Wednesday, Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that the team is working "tirelessly" to finalize the negotiations with Bosa's representatives. This process has gone longer than either expected. When asked if the Niners might consider trading the defender, both shot down the question with a quick "No."
