PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday he was going to go forward as if Nick Bosa would sign with the 49ers and play on Sunday. It proved to be prudent as San Francisco and the star defensive end came to a contract agreement on Wednesday.
Bosa will become the highest-paid defensive player in history. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 25-year-old Bosa agrees to a five-year, $170 million extension that includes $122.5 million guaranteed.
It blows by the $80 million extension signed by TJ Watt just a couple of years ago and is over $2 million more a year than Aaron Donald’s contract.
Bosa is coming off leading the NFL with 18.5 sacks in 16 games last season with 19 tackles for loss. In 2021, 15.5 sacks and led the NFL with 21 TFL.
“I think he’s a really good speed to power guy,” said Steelers left tackle Dan Moore. “He’s really efficient with his hands and really good at lifting guys. I think he has natural leverage that allows him to do that as well. Obviously, a great athlete. You have to respect that aspect as well.”
“We were in a similar circumstance with a dynamic rusher a couple of years ago with T.J.,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “We got a deal done at the 11th hour, he showed up in the stadium and he was T.J. Watt that day. And so, that's what those guys do. They show up and they are who they are. And so, we expect him to be there, it's the prudent approach to take and if he's going to be there, we know the type of player that he intends on being.”