Ick Bosa, eyeing he season ahead, s happy taking it ne day at a time’
resh out of the cold tub after a training camp practice, Nick Bosa took a seat on a couch and settled in for a rare, one-onone interview.
Bosa’s fourth season with the 49ers is upon him. He is, undeniably, one of the NFL’s best defensive ends. Yet he’s still somewhat of a mystery.
He is not a brash loudmouth or a clever-dancing sack dry sense of humor can catch you by surprise, as can an occatgame soundbite reflecting unabashed confidence in himself, e and his team. ollowing question-and-answer session, Bosa did not hesitate to ason’s team could win the Super Bowl, thus ending the franyear quest for a sixth Lombardi Trophy:
e we dive into 2022, let’s t quickly on last season. n Bay playoff game, you le of sacks on Aaron nd win in the snow. ifying win or perforu’ve had?
n’t love how I played in cond half. But after the ne of the most excited been, for sure, after a
are your expectations is season?
usly, there’s a lot of unnty with a new quarternever know how good ing to be, because you en them play. But I like
what I saw from him last year, and I know that our team is good enough to win the Super Bowl.
The first few games will say a lot about how our offense is going to operate. But as a team, we’re in the best position we’ve been in, including ’19. Our secondary is going to allow the D-line to really become the top unit in the league, which I’m super excited about.
We have tons of weapons. Obviously, we have Deebo, and I think the O-line will come together. But we’ve got to see what Trey can do, for sure.
Q
You bring up 2019, and you came into a team with contender abilities, and now Trey does, too. A lot of players drafted that high don’t get to do that.
AYeah, I know. I definitely got lucky. I could have been elsewhere. I’m just happy because this organization is so great. They give you all the resources you need. They listen to my input. Obviously, you have to get some respect in the building before you can give input, but I have a great relationship with Kyle and John, so it’s all good.
Q
Did last season surprise you how much you got out of your body coming off the knee (reconstruction)?
A
If you told me when I showed up here (in 2021) that I was going to have that year, it would a little bit surprise me, because there were still some things with my knee that were annoying me. I was managing it but standing out at walk-through at practice, I was always thinking about it, and I had a sleeve on it all the time. It was annoying. But once I got going, I felt fine.
Q
How would you describe the ideal pass rush?
A
Really good get-off and finish with a sack. Knocking the ball out would be ideal.
Q
In today’s NFL, is finesse more important than a power rush?
A
I think power is more important, to be honest. Guys are so athletic and so good with their hands that if you don’t have power …. Like, you could get away with just being a power rusher and being productive in the NFL. But you can’t get away with just being a finesse rusher, unless you’re crazy. Even Von Miller, who’s thought of a fast rusher, he’s also one of the better power rushers.
Q
Do you have a signature move?
A
I think the swipe. Inside swipe or outside swipe. I’m more of a power rusher, honestly, when it comes down to it.
Q
That’s different from Joey? (His older brother, Joey, plays for the Los Angeles Chargers)
A
I’d say so. As his career’s gone on, he’s become more finesse, but he’s got the power, too.
Q
With his background, do you guys feel you’re carrying on his legacy and raising it to new heights? (Their father, John Bosa, was the Miami Dolphins’ 1987 first-round pick who played three seasons as a defensive end before knee injuries cut short his career.)
A
Yeah, you think about that sometimes. But he’d be the first to tell you he hopes for our careers to make his not even a thought. He had a rough NFL career. He had an amazing college career. But he was a first-round pick. As a kid from Keene, New Hampshire, that’s pretty cool.
Q
He had knee injuries. You had a bad knee injury, too, but with medical advancements, it’s a different game, huh?
A
Yeah, completely. He’s great now and is still exercising a ton. His knees feel good, and I’m glad.
QYou spend your offse Fort Lauderdale. Do a boat? How big is it?
A
Thirty feet.
Q
Have a protein-shak on the boat?
A
No. There’s a fridge though.
Q
Out here in Californ came here three yea but essentially have only here about a year — six 2019, six months last yea ite spots?
A
I don’t do anything h live right down the s Once I move somewhere I might do sometime — I checking more spots out. don’t have a girlfriend, s really go out to eat with I might go over to Georg or occasionally have a Dhangout.
Q
When you see a guy bo get signed, Georg and Fred (Warner), what that tell you about how t chise takes care of home guys and your faith in th
A
I have a lot of faith t the time comes, it wi smooth. I know it’s one o hardest negotiation units with Paraag (Marathe, th chief capologist) and all guys. But I think when th your value …
Q
As long as you do yo things will work out
A
Exactly. I try to take day at a time.
Q
I’ve heard that abou
A
Yeah, it’s a good thin in general.