Nick Bosa’s contract: How 49ers have handled star defender since 2019

Six months have passed since Nick Bosa said he’d need ‘patience’ until the 49ers hammered out his contract extension

(This story has been updated following the 49ers’ agreement with Nick Bosa on a five-year extension.)

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Nick Bosa’s contract is worth $34 million per year, and not just because he’s the highest-paid defender in the NFL.

The 49ers originally signed Bosa for that amount… over the course of his first four seasons.

With the season opener at Pittsburgh on Sunday, here’s how Bosa’s contract situation with the 49ers has played out:

April 25, 2019: Bosa arrives in Nashville for the NFL Draft, where he is selected second overall, behind Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.

Bosa signs a four-year, $33.55 million contract that aligns with the NFL’s rookie wage scale on July 24, 2019.

The 49ers exercise their fifth-year option on Bosa’s rookie contract on April 25, 2022, for a $17.9 million salary in 2023.”We’ll do everything we can to keep him in this organization.” He’s a foundational player, similar to Deebo (Samuel), and a difference maker,” said general manager John Lynch. “… We’ll work hard at the appropriate time to make it a reality that he’ll be here for a long time, but it’s all good there.”

Aug. 1, 2022: When asked about the possibility of a contract extension, Bosa tells this news outlet, “I have a lot of faith that when the time comes, it will be smooth.” … I was definitely fortunate. I could have been somewhere else. I’m just overjoyed because this organization is fantastic. They provide you with all of the resources you require. They pay attention to my suggestions.”

Jan. 31, 2023: At his locker two days after the NFC Championship Game loss in Philadelphia, Bosa stated that becoming the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player is “not necessarily” his goal. “Of course, I’d love to be here.” This is a fantastic organization. They treat me just as well as you do. I have wonderful relationships here.

“I’m going to be patient and probably not worry about it for a while,” Bosa added. “I have an incredible agent who will handle everything.” I’ll just enjoy my vacation and get ready to go again next year.”

Bosa is placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list on July 26, a day after his 49ers teammates begin training camp. He is not on their 90- or 53-man rosters, and his $17.9 million fifth-year option does not count against the salary cap.

“It’s going pretty much exactly how I expected it to go,” Aug. 22. No, it’s been exactly what I expected,” Shanahan said of Bosa’s protracted contract negotiations. “Hopefully (they will end) sooner rather than later.”

Is there any chance the 49ers will trade Bosa on August 30? “No. “Really simple,” Lynch responds. Shanahan responds similarly in a separate press conference minutes earlier: “No. I haven’t told many people about it. But I know how I feel, and I believe everyone would agree with me.”

Wednesday: Coach Kyle Shanahan confirms that Bosa has agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract extension, ending a 43-day strike.