Nick Bosa admitted he was a bit surprised when he first saw how the San Francisco 49ers approached the offseason. Several veteran contributors were allowed to walk, with the front office shifting its strategy toward adding younger, more cost-effective players.
Much of that change was tied to the long-term impact of quarterback Brock Purdy's massive contract extension. With Purdy no longer on his rookie deal, the 49ers lost the salary-cap flexibility that previously allowed them to retain and add high-priced talent.
For Bosa, the roster overhaul was jarring. Suddenly, he found himself as one of the few familiar faces remaining along the defensive front.
"I was definitely thinking, like, what are we doing here?" Bosa told Tim Kawakami.
After some reflection, though, the All-Pro edge rusher recognized the bigger picture.
"You've got to reload. You've got to get younger," Bosa explained. "And I think you see a lot of other teams doing it, and having guys who are flying around the ball, and have this youthful thing to them."
At 27 and entering his seventh NFL season, Bosa understands both sides of the equation. While he's still performing at an elite level, he knows that infusing young talent is vital for long-term success.
"Young is 21 in this league, and just having young guys who are full of potential and talent, it's how you get really good," Bosa added.
But for Bosa and the 49ers, "really good" isn't the goal. The team is aiming higher: winning a championship. Despite outside doubts following a 6-11 finish last season and significant roster turnover, Bosa is confident the standard in San Francisco hasn't changed.
For that to happen, Bosa knows he has to step up as a leader for the now-younger and less-experienced 49ers.
"For us to be as good as we can be—and that's winning a Super Bowl, because I think it's very possible—I think that we have to lead the way for the young guys," Bosa said, "and show them the standard of how we play, and then they'll have no choice but to elevate their game and join us."