SANTA CLARA — Nick Bosa risks a $40,000 daily fine for not being at 49ers’ training camp, and, a week into it, he is not here.
“I don’t think that’s really necessary. That’s not going to get him in here,” general manager John Lynch said before Monday’s practice. “We always strive for the same thing.”
That “thing” is a contract extension that should make Bosa the NFL’s highest-paid player other than quarterbacks, the position he’s preyed on en route to NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors last year and rookie-of-the-year accolades in 2019.
“We have to strike the right mix of urgency,” Lynch said. “I don’t like this, I don’t like not having one of our best players here. I also understand it, that we have to exhibit patience and ultimately this thing will work out.
“I’m confident in that, we’ll come to an agreement. I’m confident we’ll get things taken care of so we can have one of our best players and teammates.”
Bosa became a team captain last year, and he responded by leading the NFL with a career-high 18 1/2 sacks. His leadership aspect also gained traction in recent years, including his address to the team on the eve of games.
Bosa nor his agent, Brian Ayrault, have publicly commented since camp began last Tuesday, which is when Lynch indicated all parties have chosen to keep details private about their contract talks.
Bosa is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, at an $18 million base salary. He figures to challenge the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald for the NFL’s high-water mark in annual salary, over $32 million; Lynch declined to confirm that.
Two years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt reported to camp but did not practice nor play in preseason games before agreeing to his contract extension only days before the season opener.
How much time will Bosa need to “callus” up for the season?
“You always have to strike that right balance,” Lynch said. “Nick is a specimen because he was blessed with some really good genes and he works as hard as anyone in this game. His plan is meticulous and is adjusted each year.”
Lynch, a Pro Footbal Hall of Fame safety, said he “needed training camp” each year and that the 49ers have had internal discussion over how much time Bosa needs to prepare for the season.
Lynch spoke Monday to reporters because, as he explained it, he and coach Kyle Shanahan have an agreement for Lynch to retreat into the shadows once the season begins to streamline the organization’s collective voice; Lynch does appear on KNBR 680-AM radio every other week during the season.
In non-Bosa news, Lynch said he can’t envision keeping four quarterbacks on the active roster, but a fourth could linger on the practice squad.
