Nick Bosa, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year,
may be distracted as the San Francisco 49ers try to make the playoffs for the third straight season.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports that Bosa and the Niners had been in contract extension talks all offseason,
four million dollars per year apart “for a while.” Both sides have apparently established the season opener as the negotiating deadline, so an agreement must be made soon.
Bosa is seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history after posting an NFL-best 18.5 sacks, one shy of Aldon Smith's 2012 49ers record.
While Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones is in a contract dispute to become the highest-paid player at his position, Bosa will not hold out.
The 49ers and Bosa will likely agree. If not this week, they will next offseason before Bosa's deal expires.
Four million dollars a year doesn't sound like much when the NFL's wage cap keeps climbing, but the sides may compromise.