49ers Rumors: Nick Bosa Contract Extension Interests SF; Record Money Targeted

Nick Bosa may be well on his way to the Defensive Player of the Year, and he could also be well on his way to a record-level contract.

"Another player set to make a lot of money, I mean a lot of money, is Nick Bosa," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. "... My understanding is this offseason is the time when the 49ers would like to do a deal. Of course, his target is going to be the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL."

That means Bosa has Aaron Donald in his sights.

The Los Angeles Rams star is the league's highest-paid defensive player with an annual salary of $31.7 million. Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt is next at $28 million, while Nick's brother, Joey, is third at $27 million for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Nick Bosa has proved worthy of such a contract since the 49ers selected him with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft, especially this season.

He led the league with 18.5 sacks while posting 51 tackles and two forced fumbles. It was his second consecutive year with more than 15 sacks after tallying 15.5 last year in a bounce-back effort from an injury-marred 2020 campaign.

Bosa is just 25 years old and in his prime for a 49ers franchise that seems to be an annual Super Bowl contender.

He is under contract through next season, but locking him up in advance means San Francisco wouldn't have to worry about a prolonged negotiation that could lead to issues down the line as it attempts to win its first Super Bowl since the 1994 season.

For now, Bosa is three wins away from leading his team to a Lombardi Trophy as arguably the top defensive player in the league. And he could be paid accordingly after this postseason run is over.