Nick Bosa’s contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
The front office had been working tirelessly to get the deal done, and it had his family on the edge of their seats waiting for the news.
Confirmation that Bosa and the 49ers had reached an agreement came with two simple words in a text Nick sent his dad, John.
“It’s done,” the message read.
“It’s one of two things,” John Bosa told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer about the waiting process. “It’s either great news or it’s tough sledding as far as the negotiation goes. It could’ve been ‘See you tomorrow morning on the field.'”
John Bosa cried after he figured out what it meant. The contract was complete. Nick’s future was solidified.
“Nick’s been through a lot,” John Bosa said. “A lot of dark days, with all the things he’s been through. So for me, I’m so proud of his dedication and ability to bounce back. These things happened to him and he never missed a beat. He came back, and came back a stronger version of himself. I’m so proud of him.”
Nick Bosa himself admitted there had been a lot of uncertainty throughout the process. That goes against his normal routine.
“I like a good schedule, a good routine,” Nick said. “Not knowing was kind of wearing on me, especially as it got closer and closer. It all worked out perfectly. I think this team, we took pride in starting fast this year because it’s been a little slow in the past. We’ve taken a while to really click on all cylinders.”
The team and Nick had been about $4 million per year apart in negotiations leading up to the signing, as Breer reported earlier.
Bosa finished his fourth season in 2022 with a league-leading 18.5 sacks. He also was in MVP talks, earning his third Pro-Bowl selection.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.