After returning to the San Francisco 49ers, signing a record-setting five-year, $170 million contract extension, and ending a six-week holdout, there was little doubt that Nick Bosa would be on the field with his teammates this weekend.
The star pass rusher returned to the practice field on Friday, the last practice before the 49ers board a plane bound for Pittsburgh, where they will face the Steelers in a Week 1 matchup.
With Friday being the first good look Kyle Shanahan had of Bosa since his return to the team, the coach is confident that the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year will contribute on Sunday.
"He looked exactly how we were expecting him to look," Shanahan told reporters on Friday. "Looks in real good shape. Looks ready to go."
As for the plan for Bosa on Sunday, the defensive end says he is prepared for whatever the 49ers ask of him.
"I'm not sure what Kyle's plan is, but I'd be up for a normal workload, for sure," Bosa told reporters in his first media availably since returning to the 49ers. "But I haven't talked to him yet."
For Bosa, having the whole ordeal behind him is a big relief. There were times when he wasn't confident that a deal would get done in time for the start of the season.
"The closer it got, the more it seemed like it was a possibility," he said.
Now, Bosa is happy to be reunited with his teammates and coaches. He is excited about his NFL future.
"I'm very appreciative of this organization, obviously, for believing in me, and the York family for believing in me, and I just want to thank them for doing that," Bosa said. "And [general manager] John Lynch and Kyle for believing in me. It's definitely an honor to be able to be with this organization for the majority of my career."
Bosa has been waiting a long time to return to his locker room. Being back in the building, with the weight of the contract negotiations off his shoulders, has reenergized the defensive end.
"It was unbelievable," Bosa said of reuniting with the team. "I've been waiting for that moment. That's probably one of the biggest things I was excited for, is to walk in the building and see all the guys. I know they have my back. Players have each other's back in this league because it's business at the end of the day. And it was really cool to see everybody."
Does Bosa have any plans for his newfound fortune?
"Um, definitely get a house out here, which will be a pretty big purchase in this area," Bosa responded with a smile.
