Nick Bosa is a first-year team captain. He is the only newcomer to the group of six San Francisco 49ers captains, including defensive lineman Arik Armstead, tight end George Kittle, safety Jimmie Ward, linebacker Fred Warner, and tackle Trent Williams.
His teammates so respect the 24-year-old pass rusher that head coach Kyle Shanahan tasked him with the honor of giving a speech to the team the day before each game last season. That tradition carried over into 2022.
"I just give the Saturday speeches after walk-throughs," Bosa said on Friday. "I was doing that all last year too."
Bosa isn't very proud of his speeches from last season, but the experience was invaluable because he learned from it. As a result, he feels better about his efforts this season.
"They weren't that great last year, but mine last week was pretty good, honestly," Bosa said.
He felt his Week 1 effort was so good that it would be tough to top it this week. Maybe he'll never beat it. However, the defender didn't want to share any details regarding what he told his teammates.
"I planned [the speech last week], and I don't really have a plan this week," Bosa admitted. "I need to start thinking about it. But I don't think I'll top that one [from Week 1] maybe my entire career."
Bosa jokingly added, "It's just a nice stress that I don't need."
The even-keeled pass rusher said he's not the type to scream and yell in speeches meant to inspire. Instead, he tries to add meaning to his words, noting the need to "earn my C."
Whatever Bosa said seemingly had little impact on the game itself. The 49ers lost their regular-season opener to the Chicago Bears 19-10 in monsoon-like conditions at Soldier Field. However, San Francisco has put the game behind them and is focused on this weekend's home opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
"I think at this point in the week, it's in the past," Bosa said. "I think last year, for everybody who was here, it was kind of like, 'Alright, we're going to lose some sometimes.' It's just how you react when it's a really long season. We'd love to win our home opener."
San Francisco (0-1) is currently listed as a nine-point favorite over visiting Seattle (1-0).