Many believe that San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa remains one of the league's premier pass rushers—but one analyst believes his contract could become a concern.
Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon identified the most overpaid player on each NFL roster, naming Bosa as the 49ers' selection.
Bosa signed a five-year, $170 million contract extension in 2023, which at the time made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, with an average annual salary of $34 million.
His cap hits are set to rise significantly in the coming years. Bosa is scheduled to count nearly $23 million against the salary cap in 2026, followed by a massive $54.9 million in 2027 and $47.1 million in 2028.
Gagnon's concern centers on Bosa's recent production. After recording a career-high 18.5 sacks in 2022, his totals declined in the following seasons. Injuries also played a role, as Bosa appeared in just three games last season after suffering his third ACL tear—and second since entering the NFL.
"Bosa is awesome, but his production fell off markedly in back-to-back seasons before he missed all but three games in 2025," Gagnon wrote. "It's fair to wonder if he peaked as Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. If so, that five-year, $170 million contract will become problematic. He is the seventh-highest-paid defensive player in football."
Despite the concerns, Bosa is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. The 49ers will need him back at full strength after finishing with just 20 total sacks last season—the lowest mark in the NFL by a wide margin.
San Francisco is also expected to target pass-rush help in the 2026 NFL Draft as it looks to bolster an inconsistent defensive front.
Bosa, 28, is entering his eighth NFL season and has recorded 64.5 career sacks.
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