Almost every 49ers player has been on the practice field through the first three sessions of training camp with one conspicuous omission: reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.
The 25-year-old defensive end, who led the league with 18.5 sacks last year, is holding out while negotiating a contract extension. Bosa is currently entering the final year of his rookie contract and wants to get some long-term security before returning to the practice field.
On the latest episode of the 49ers Webzone ‘No Huddle’ podcast, hosts Al Sacco and Brian Renick discussed the expected holdout.
As it stands now, Rams superstar Aaron Donald is the highest-paid defensive player with a $31.7 million average annual value (AAV) on his contract. The expectation is that Bosa's contract will make him the NFL's top-paid player on defense.
“If the Niners are thinking anything different they’re nuts – they’re going to have to pay him more than Aaron Donald,” Sacco said. “If it comes out less than Aaron Donald, I’ll eat my words, I guess. But I’ll be shocked if it does. … They’re gonna have to pay him quarterback money.”
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