Nick Bosa Watch continues for fans and the media. As of Wednesday morning, the San Francisco 49ers pass rusher is not in the building, increasing doubt that the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year will sign a new contract before the first of three game-week practices (not counting Monday's bonus practice).
With the first practice of game week upon us, #49ers star Nick Bosa is not in the building for meetings with his teammates, sources say, as his holdout stretches into the regular season. His status for Week 1 is now in doubt as he seeks a blockbuster contract extension.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2023
Bosa is on day 44 of his holdout. He didn't report to training camp on July 25 and isn't expected to return to the team until his agent, Brian Ayrault, and the Niners come to terms on a deal.
Most felt a deal would be done by early in training camp. Here we are over a month later with no end in sight to this staredown.
"Still awaiting word on whether or not he will end his holdout," NFL insider Ian Rapoport said on "Good Morning Football" Wednesday morning. "As of, let's say, late last night, did not get any optimism there. Had not gotten the sense things changed. He is not in the building today.
"No Wednesday practice [for Bosa]. Obviously, does not bode well for his availability for their opener."
Rapoport expanded on the report during a segment on the NFL+ show, "The Insiders."
"Teammates are in meetings preparing for the first practice of the week, the Wednesday practice," Rapoport told his colleagues. "Generally, that is a sign; if you participate in the Wednesday practice, you got a chance to play on Sunday. ... He hasn't been there at all, and it seems far-fetched to me to say he'll play Week 1, even if they get a deal done, which I haven't heard that's coming anyway.
"And these deals are so hard to do because Bosa obviously wants to beat [Rams DT] Aaron Donald. ... He is extremely principled. His agent, Brian Ayrault, is extremely principled. I have not sensed moving on this one at all, guys."
From The Insiders on NFL+: #49ers edge Nick Bosa's holdout continues... pic.twitter.com/WouS8UKSM2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2023
As for the 49ers' Week 1 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, they continue to prepare as if Bosa will play on Sunday.
"Yes, we are preparing for Bosa," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said this week. "It's prudent for us to assume that he is going to be there and prepare in that vein as opposed to be surprised.
"We were in a similar circumstance with a dynamic rusher a couple of years ago in T.J. [Watt]. We got a deal done at the 11th hour. He showed up in the stadium, and he was T.J. Watt that day. And so that's what those guys do. They show up, and they are who they are."
