Nick Bosa officially signs contract, ‘so excited to be a Niner for life’

The 49ers and Nick Bosa made his five-year extension official Friday morning, two days shy of the season opener at the Pittsburgh Steelers

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Nick Bosa declared himself “a Niner for life” today after signing a five-year contract extension through the 2028 season.

Bosa agreed to the historic contract on Wednesday, becoming the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback with a yearly salary of $34 million. He was set to earn $17.9 million this season as the final year of his rookie contract, and the hotly negotiated extension is reportedly worth up to $170 million.

After today’s practice, Bosa and the 49ers will fly to Pittsburgh for Sunday’s season opener against the Steelers.

Bosa signed his contract upstairs in the 49ers’ offices alongside general manager John Lynch, before pandering to the team’s social-media cameras and saying, “Faithful, just signed.” I’m overjoyed to be a Niner for the rest of my life. Let’s go win as many rings as possible. Let’s get started.”

Bosa, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, will turn 26 on Monday night, Oct. 23, when the 49ers visit the Minnesota Vikings.

Lynch echoed that “Niner for life” line on KNBR 680-AM while discussing Bosa’s slow-moving and at times frustrating contract negotiations. Former Warriors general manager Bob Myers provided encouragement along the way.

“There was one point when we were at an impasse, and Bob called with Paraag (Marathe, the 49ers’ chief contract negotiator) in my office, and he just had really good counsel,” Lynch told KNBR. “It helped keep us going. When you’re struggling, you need friends, not family, and I was thinking about that last night. Bob called at a time when we were feeling particularly frustrated and offered some very helpful advice.”

Lynch described Bosa’s agent, Brian Ayrault, as “very talented, tough, and aggressive,” which made the massive contract a difficult act to complete, even after it was agreed upon on Wednesday. When Bosa suited up for practice Thursday and did individual conditioning drills while being shadowed by head strength and conditioning coach Dustin Perry, there were still language details to work out.

“There’s going to be some parsing through all of that, so there was a little delay there at the end, but prior to that it was just everything,” Lynch explained. “They were going to be thorough, and we were going to be thorough, and it took longer than we were accustomed to, but it’s done.”

Later today, Bosa is scheduled to meet with reporters.

“Was there any angst? Sure. But all of that has been forgiven,” Lynch added. “He’s arrived. This morning, he signed. I gave him a big hug and told him I was proud of him. He’s earned it, and we’re glad to have him back.”

If he plays out the entire contract, he will join a select group of 49ers with a decade of service. Joe Staley joined the “10-Year Club” as the 51st and most recent member before retiring in 2020. Arik Armstead is the team’s longest-tenured player, entering his ninth season.

Defensive tackle Leo Nomellini (1950-63), offensive tackle Bob St. Clair (1953-64), cornerback Jimmy Johnson (1961-76), linebacker Dave Wilcox (1964-74) and defensive tackle Bryant Young (1994-2007) are the only 49ers players to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Patrick Willis (2007-14) could be next on the list.