Nick Bosa Gets Paid; Is Brian Burns Next?

The unexpected has happened. The San Francisco 49ers and defensive end Nick Bosa have agreed to a five-year, $170 million deal (122.5M guaranteed), according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Source: Nick Bosa has agreed to a five-year, $170 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers, including $122.5 million guaranteed, by a wide margin. It will make him the highest-paid defensive player in history. pic.twitter.com/bRm6S9Eemf
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2023

Bosa hasn't practiced all preseason but according to multiple reports, he is expected to play in the team's season opener against Pittsburgh.

For the longest time, it felt as if Bosa and the Niners had no chance of getting a new deal done ahead of the 2023 season.

So this news, you would think, should be a good sign for Carolina Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns. Bosa reset the market and now the Panthers can't necessarily go as low as they would probably like. With Bosa set to make $34 million/year on average, the asking price from Burns and his team should come in a few million short of that number. Will he hit $30 million per year? Maybe, maybe not. But by waiting on Bosa to get his deal done, Burns avoids getting an unfair AAV (average annual value).

Burns did return to practice as a full participant on Wednesday after missing each of the last two practices. He doesn't seem like someone who would sit out a game, but as head coach Frank Reich stated earlier this week, "You have to think the best, hope the best but prepare for all options."

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on Twitter:

Facebook - @PanthersOnSI

X - @AllPanthers_ and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.