Fresh off a 6-11 season that cost $334 million, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to reduce spending.
The 49ers’ recent trade of Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick conveniently saved them from paying him a $15 million bonus on March 22. Fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk is reportedly available for cheap with a $22 million bonus due on April 1.
But an even bigger star with a heftier price tag might also be at risk of leaving the Bay Area, at least according to one insider.
On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn made the case for the 49ers to listen to offers for five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa. The 27-year-old Bosa is owed a $29 million bonus on April 1 if he remains on the roster.
“So the 49ers have a choice,” Cohn wrote. “Keep Bosa and pay him $29 million on April 1, or trade him for two first-round picks and draft his replacement, someone who will be much younger and cheaper than Bosa for at least the next four years.”
“I would trade Bosa. He’ll never be worth more than he is today.”
Bosa, winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022 and Rookie of the Year in 2019, signed a five-year, $170 million extension in 2023. The former Ohio State University standout racked up nine sacks, 52 tackles (15 for loss), and one forced fumble last year en route to his fifth Pro Bowl selection in six professional seasons.
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