SANTA CLARA — Nick Bosa’s goal is “not necessarily” to become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player this offseason, but he definitely wants to sign a long-term extension with the 49ers.
“Oh yeah, I’d love to be here, for sure,” Bosa said Tuesday, two days after the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game loss at Philadelphia. “This is a great organization. They treat me as good as you can. I have amazing relationships here.”
This season’s NFL sack leader and a first-team All-Pro, Bosa has only one season left on his rookie contract, at a fifth-year option salary of $17.9 million. That is about half of what he could make in a multi-year extension, presumably by training camp or the season.
“I’m definitely going to have patience and probably not worry about it for some time,” Bosa added. “I have an amazing agent who will handle all that. I’ll just enjoy my time off and get ready to roll next year.”
Teammates recognized Bosa’s career-best year by awarding him the 49ers’ highest honor, the Len Eshmont Award. He was denied another shot at his first Super Bowl ring upon Sunday’s 31-7, season-ending defeat. Early in that game, a stray cleat of an Eagles’ player dug into Bosa’s right calf, opening a wound which Bosa thankfully said Tuesday is not infected but is still sore.
It was Bosa’s third NFC title game in his four seasons, and he feels the 49ers remain “on the right track,” added. “We had the pieces. We have the template. Getting that (first-round) bye would help and rest to improve your chances. But, yeah, we’re on the right track.”
They’ll forge ahead with a new defensive coordinator now that DeMeco Ryans has left to become the Houston Texans’ coach. Bosa said he’ll miss Ryans’ smile, knowledge and, especially, his appreciation for defensive linemen. “But I trust Kyle (Shanahan) will replace him with the best guy possible, who’ll have the right mindset and the same principles DeMeco had,” Bosa said.
Although he had a career-best 18 1/2 sacks in the regular season, he had none in the playoffs. He tackled the “deceptively strong” Jalen Hurts for a 3-yard loss near the goal line (nearly a safety) on what officially was a second-quarter run play. Who will win the Super Bowl between Hurts’ Eagles and Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs, the latter having beaten Bosa and the 49ers to the Lombardi Trophy three years ago? “It’ll be a good battle, that I will not be watching,” Bosa said.
McGLINCHEY ON MOVE?
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey has trained year-round at the 49ers’ facility since they made him their first-round pick in 2018. Tuesday marked the first time he’s cleaned out his locker, and he found rookie memorabilia like a get-well card from teammate Joe Staley’s daughter Grace. McGlinchey’s rookie contract has expired, and he is eligible to test free agency March 13, unless the 49ers make him a contract offer, as he desires.
McGlinchey, a Philadelphia-area native, said the Bay Area has become his fond home, and it’s where his fiance is from. But in terms of a hometown discount, “you can’t be an idiot about it.” Then again, he noted: “It’s hard to ever want to leave this place. I’ve seen people do it and be kind of heartbroken about it later.”
McGlinchey does not want the 49ers to place the franchise tag on him. He wants long-term, financial security for his family. To put that into perspective, he will have 17 groomsmen at his July wedding. “That ring wasn’t my first priority this year. I was hoping to get a set this year (with a Super Bowl ring), but it didn’t work out that way,” McGlinchey added.
IS TRENT WILLIAMS DONE?
Left tackle Trent Williams is at the top of his game so retirement seems unlikely. He has both the highest salary ($19.4 million ) and cap number ($28,719,000) on the roster. He will be 35 next season and wasn’t about to declare his intentions for 2023.
“You do kind of think about what life looks like after football,” Williams said. “I’ve done this every year of my life since the second grade. You get to that age where especially after an ending like this year, as exhausting as it was, and still not getting where you want to be. Honestly, I’m just taking it one day at a time and we’ll see how that goes going forward.”
Williams was on crutches and had a boot on his left foot but shrugged it off as a minor injury. He didn’t have much to say about being ejected in the fourth quarter after body-slamming the Eagles’ K’Van Wallace after a scuffle. “We compete, tempers flare, things happen,” Williams said.
Williams and some of his teammates were still processing how to deal with a defeat in a game during which they were handicapped without a healthy starting quarterback. “Realistically, I don’t think any team can win a game without a quarterback,” Williams said. “We got dealt a crazy hand on Sunday. It sucks to see this team work way too hard and you hate to see it end this way.”
GOULD’S FUTURE
Kicker Robbie Gould is also scheduled for free agency, and while he said it would be “awesome” if the 49ers brought him back for a seventh season with them, he noted that “unique” opportunities could await elsewhere for him entering his 19th year in the NFL. Said Gould: “I was 35-of-40 (on field-goal attempts) with the two blocks. I kicked off at 40 years old, which I don’t want to say is unheard of, but it usually doesn’t happen that often. I still have some pop left.”
KROFT’S BLOCK
George Kittle came somewhat to the defense of fellow tight end Tyler Kroft, whose block failed to stop the Eagles’ Hasson Reddick for hitting and injuring Brock Purdy. Said Kittle: “Reddick is a fantastic rusher, he was second in the league in sacks, I think. Fantastic. Could you put an offensive lineman on him? Sure. But I believe Kroft can make that block with the timing that you need to make the block for. Didn’t happen. … I’ve seen, ‘Why would you ever put a tight end on him?’ I’m pretty sure I had two pass pros on him where I shut him down.
“You pay me a lot more money they you pay the next guy, but I still believe in my teammates to make those blocks. It’s unfortunate, but everyone’s going to come at Kyle for that, why are you going to put a tight end on a defensive end. People do it. It’s just on that play it didn’t work very well.”
OMENIHU’S GRATITUDE
Defensive lineman Charles Omenihu said he could not comment about last Monday’s arrest for suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. Instead, he expressed his gratitude for playing the past 1 1/2 seasons with the 49ers before he hits free agency in March. “My tape is going to be my resume, what people will look at to determine my market. I hope I put enough out there so I have options,” Omenihu said. “But I want everyone to know I appreciate the Niners, I appreciate them coming to get me (in a 2021 trade).”
ELIJAH MITCHELL UPDATE
Running back Elijah Mitchell was disappointed to miss the title game with a groin injury, but said he should be fine soon and is hoping to get in a full offseason of work to be healthier next season. “I came out of the season pretty good,” Mitchell said. “I’m going into the offseason to work hard, take care of my body. That could most definitely make a difference.” After setting a franchise record of 963 yards in 11 games as a rookie, Mitchell had 45 carries for 279 yards in five games and had two stints on the injured list with MCL strains.
FUTURE CONTRACTS
Practice-squad players signed to remain on a futures contract are offensive linemen Alfredo Gutierrez, Jason Poe, Keith Ismael and Leroy Watson; defensive backs Tayler Hawkins and Qwuantrezz Knight; wide receivers Tay Martin and Dazz Newsome; defensive lineman Alex Barrett, and linebacker Curtis Robinson.
Staff writer Jerry McDonald contributed to this report
Source: www.mercurynews.com