Step aside, Aaron Donald. There's a new highest-paid defender in the NFL: Nick Bosa.
The star pass rusher for the 49ers inked the new deal on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. He had previously been holding out from the team, and his status for San Francisco's season opener against the Steelers was in question.
But now, he is ready to return to the 49ers. And Kyle Shanahan said that the defensive end is "trying to get [to the team] as fast as possible" ahead of their Week 1 matchup with Pittsburgh, so that should give him a shot to play.
And Shanahan later added that Bosa would "have to have a beer belly and be out of shape" not to play, so it seems likely that he will suit up in Week 1.
MORE: The NFL's highest-paid players on defense for 2023
It's no surprise that Bosa is getting a record-breaking contract. He has been one of the best edge rushers in the NFL since the 49ers made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year award that year and was named to his first All-Pro team last season after recording a league-high 18.5 sacks.
Bosa has 43 sacks and 56 tackles for loss in 51 career games. And the scary part is that he may only be hitting his prime now, as he is only set to turn 26 in October.
Just how much are the 49ers paying Bosa? Here's what to know about the massive extension given to the younger Bosa brother.
MORE: Who was selected after Trey Lance in 2021 NFL Draft?
Nick Bosa contract details
Bosa reportedly agreed to a five-year, $170 million contract with the 49ers, as was first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The exact structure of the deal has yet to be revealed, but the contract is the largest ever given to a defensive player in NFL history.
It also has been reported that Bosa will receive $122.5 million in guarantees and the 49ers will waive all fines that were to be assessed as a result of his holdout. That guarantee will include a defensive-player record $50 million signing bonus, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
More: Nick Bosa gets $122.5M in overall guarantees and the team will waive all fines. https://t.co/cW4yh3mtyO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2023
Bosa will make $34 million in average annual value (AAV) as a part of his deal with the 49ers. Previously, Aaron Donald was the only defensive player in NFL history to have an AAV over $30 million at $31.7 million per season.
Meanwhile, Khalil Mack's $141 million contract that he inked with the Bears was the largest contract in total value ever given to a defensive player. Bosa exceeds that value by $29 million, and his deal is a year shorter than Mack's.
So, suffice to say that Bosa and his agent will be happy with this contract. And while the 49ers are committing a lot of resources to keeping Bosa, it should be a worthwhile pursuit if the Ohio State product continues the upward trend he has been on during his four-year NFL career to date.
NFL's highest-paid defensive players
Bosa is not only making the most money among NFL defenders for 2023, but he is making more than any other defensive player in NFL history. His contract is the first defensive contract to contain more than $100 million in guaranteed money and it is the first to have a total value over $150 million.
Below is a look at how Bosa's contract compares to those of other top defenders.
Average annual value
| Rank | Player | Team | Total value |
| 1 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | $34 million |
| 2 | Aaron Donald | Rams | $31.7 million |
| 3 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | $28 million |
| 4 | Joey Bosa | Chargers | $27 million |
| 5 | Myles Garrett | Browns | $25 million |
| 6 | Quinnen Williams | Jets | $24 million |
| 7 | Maxx Crosby | Raiders | $23.5 million |
| Khalil Mack | Chargers | $23.5 million | |
| Jeffery Simmons | Titans | $23.5 million | |
| 10 | Daron Payne | Commanders | $22.5 million |
| Dexter Lawrence | Giants | $22.5 million |
Total guarantees
| Rank | Player | Team | Total guarantees |
| 1 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | $122.5 million |
| 2 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | $80 million |
| 3 | Joey Bosa | Chargers | $78 million |
| 4 | Khalil Mack | Chargers | $70 million |
| 5 | Quinnen Williams | Jets | $66 million |
| Jeffery Simmons | Titans | $66 million | |
| 7 | Dexter Lawrence | Giants | $60 million |
| 8 | Daron Payne | Commanders | $55 million |
| 9 | Aaron Donald | Rams | $46.5 million |
| 10 | Roquan Smith | Ravens | $45 million |
| Von Miller | Bills | $45 million | |
| Leonard Williams | Giants | $45 million |
Total contract value
| Rank | Player | Team | Total value |
| 1 | Nick Bosa | 49ers | $170 million |
| 2 | Khalil Mack | Chargers | $141 million |
| 3 | Joey Bosa | Chargers | $135 million |
| 4 | Myles Garrett | Browns | $125 million |
| 5 | Von Miller | Bills | $120 million |
| 6 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | $112 million |
| 7 | Bradley Chubb | Dolphins | $110 million |
| 8 | Denzel Ward | Browns | $100.5 million |
| 9 | Roquan Smith | Ravens | $100 million |
| 10 | Shaquille Leonard | Colts | $98.5 million |
In short, Bosa's deal blows the others out of the water. Now, it will be interesting to see if other defensive players are able to draw nearer to his deal or if the 49ers star will continue to pace the defensive market for a few seasons.