Nick Bosa was a menace for the Ohio State Buckeyes defense for a few years. Watching him then, I said to myself, he has a chance to be special and maybe even better than his brother who also went to Ohio State and now plays for the Los Angeles Chargers. In 2019, Kyler Murray was the first overall pick selected in the draft that year and Nick was sleeted by the San Francisco 49ers right after at number two. He had an immediate impact in his first season with the 49ers. That defense was one of the best in the league at the time and Nick was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. He also helped the 9ers win the NFC West and they got to the Super Bowl where they fell short to the Kansas City Chiefs. Even after suffering a torn ACL in 2020, Nick has gradually climbed the ladder each year and improved. There’s been talks about a contract dispute throughout training camp. We don’t have to worry about that anymore. The 49ers have extended Nick. A five-year deal worth $170 million which makes him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
He’s a force and one of the best defensive players in the league when he’s on the field. Nick is a pure, yet dominant football player who plays each snap with that unrelenting nature. Even when you think you have him blocked and you’ve eliminated him from the play, he’s not completely out of the play. No matter the level of football someone is playing at, you are taught to play until the whistle blows and I don’t think there’s anyone who does that as well as number 97. Nick is one of those players that you must know where he is at all times and even if you do circle in on him, he can still wreck your play. As a former Defensive End myself, what I admire about him is teams will chip him or double him and he still finds a way to be incredibly productive. Nick’s activity up front allows the secondary to make consistent plays on the football. When it comes to rushing the passer, this man delivers each time you call his number. The ability to get home and get to the Quarterback is simple because he just overpowers you with a bullrush. Nick is always low and maintains his balance at all times which is why he’s so successful in each of his battles. He might have an unorthodox stance, but it works for him. You know the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Nick put together the best year of his career in 2022. He finished last year with 18.5 sacks which led the league. For his efforts a year ago, he was named Defensive Player of the Year. Nick is such a key piece of this defense. Many others, myself included have called him the “Aaron Donald” of the 9ers defense meaning it starts with him and they build around him. I’m glad both sides were able to come to an agreement. Now, we can all enjoy some football.
