SANTA CLARA, Calif. — With the regular-season opener in Pittsburgh quickly approaching, the San Francisco 49ers are nonetheless with out star defensive finish Nick Bosa due to a contract dispute.
However Niners coach Kyle Shanahan and common supervisor John Lynch remained steadfast Wednesday that Bosa will signal a profitable contract extension and that there is not any situation through which they might commerce Bosa.
Shanahan stated not too long ago that Bosa’s extension negotiations have gone about how he anticipated, regardless that Bosa has not been with the staff because it opened coaching camp July 25. Requested if he thought it could drag on this lengthy, Shanahan prompt that is the window he has had in his thoughts all through the method.
“I believed it could come in all probability at the moment, simply trying on the historical past of these issues,” Shanahan stated. “And I am actually hoping it will get finished. I do know they’re working tirelessly at it … however hopefully we are able to get him in right here earlier than later.”
Talking for the primary time since trimming to the preliminary 53-man roster on Tuesday, Shanahan and Lynch had been adamant that regardless that Bosa’s holdout has gone on longer than they’d like, they do not see any situation through which he’d be traded.
“No, I really feel fairly strongly and I feel everybody would agree with that,” Shanahan stated.
Requested if there was even a share likelihood he’d contemplate buying and selling Bosa, Lynch minced no phrases. “No,” Lynch stated. “Actual easy.”
Lynch added that there have been no updates on Bosa’s contract talks however did acknowledge there was communication between the staff and Bosa’s agent, Brian Ayrault, and “that is factor.”
The Niners have by no means shied away from the concept Bosa deserves a major pay bump that makes him among the many highest-paid defenders in NFL historical past. Lynch has additionally stated it is a course of that requires persistence as they search for the “candy spot” that works for each side.
San Francisco has a prolonged observe report of paying its prime gamers, reaching agreements with tight finish George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and receiver Deebo Samuel both simply earlier than or proper after coaching camp has opened the previous three years.
Bosa’s deal has proved extra difficult, presumably as a result of he is solely 25 and coming off a season through which he gained the NFL’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months award. Bosa led the league with 18.5 sacks final yr and is getting into the fifth and ultimate season of his rookie contract at a value of $17.9 million.
It is potential Bosa’s new deal may surpass the annual common worth of Los Angeles Rams defensive sort out Aaron Donald ($31.67 million) and/or the complete ensures of Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt ($80 million), each high-water marks for defenders.
“You guys know the way we really feel about Nick, and everyone knows how good of a participant he’s,” Shanahan stated. “Hopefully we are able to come to phrases quickly and get him right here as quick as potential.”
One other lingering difficulty for the Niners is at kicker, the place they do not at the moment have a wholesome choice. The 49ers stored third-round choose Jake Moody on the roster, however he is coping with a proper quad damage that has solid doubt on his availability for Week 1.
On Tuesday, the Niners positioned kicker Zane Gonzalez (proper calf) on injured reserve, and the staff has not signed one other kicker to the apply squad. In response to Shanahan, the Niners nonetheless plan to signal a kicker to the apply squad who would give them insurance coverage in case Moody is unable to play in Pittsburgh. That would occur as quickly as this weekend.
“I had no concept there have been this many kickers on the market,” Lynch stated. “I’ve gotten many texts from individuals who kicked at one level of their life, Pop Warner, to very completed kickers. That course of has been good as nicely. Jake Moody has been monitoring nicely. His restoration goes nicely, however we’ll be ready for something.”
One other Niner lacking from Wednesday’s apply was Kittle. Kittle additionally didn’t apply Monday and won’t take part Thursday, in keeping with Shanahan. Kittle suffered a groin damage just a few weeks in the past, and although he returned and performed within the preseason finale, he is nonetheless coping with the ailment.
“We’re simply taking good care of him proper now,” Shanahan stated. “It is nonetheless stuff lingering just a little bit from him that has price him a while. We’re not going to apply him at this time both and hopefully we’ll get him occurring Monday.”
Some eyebrows had been raised Monday when quarterback Brock Purdy was not taking up his common workload. Shanahan stated the Niners are utilizing this week to “deload” Purdy’s surgically repaired proper elbow, trimming his weekly throws from about 700 to 350.
The hope, in keeping with Shanahan and Lynch, is that Purdy will really feel contemporary going into the primary week of the common season.