Bosa captures AP Defensive Player of Year after huge season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
PHOENIX — It might not have been the ultimate goal of Nick Bosa’s 2022 season, but it was incredibly meaningful for the 49ers star to be named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
The football world recognized what a special player Bosa is during NFL Honors on Thursday night.
Bosa led the NFL with 18.5 sacks, 51 tackles — 41 solo and 19 for a loss. The All-Pro also racked up 48 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a pass breakup. The edge rusher's presence on the field alone has an effect on how opposing offenses game plan for the 49ers.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
General manager John Lynch knows what a special player the 49ers have in Bosa, and during his end-of-season press conference, he shared his belief of how deserving the edge rusher is of the award.
“I think first of all with Nick, in my heart of hearts, he deserves to be the Defensive Player of the Year in our league,” Lynch said. “I hope that comes his way, because he's earned that. He's a fantastic football player, he's a game changer of a football player. I should stop now, but everybody already knows all that.”
Bosa winning DPOY heading into his fifth NFL season with the 49ers sets the Ohio State product up to become the highest paid defensive player in the league. The 25-year old, however, says that is not a goal in his upcoming contract talks.
Sports
“Not necessarily, just see where it goes,” Bosa said on locker-room clean-out day. “I’m definitely going to have patience and probably not worry about it for some time. I have an amazing agent who will handle all that, and I’ll just enjoy my time off and get ready to roll next year.”
Bosa plans on heading to his home base in Florida for the offseason to train with his brother Joey, star pass rusher for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Meanwhile the 49ers will set into motion the steps to keep Bosa in the red and gold for the long haul.
