Nick Bosa’s return at full strength after tearing his ACL in Week 2 last season is perhaps the single biggest key to the 49ers’ return to championship contention in 2021. Long-time 49ers left tackle Joe Staley has been in touch with the young defensive end and told NFL Network that he’s confident in Bosa’s ability to return and be a key cog in San Francisco’s defense.
Staley told MJ Acosta-Ruiz on NFL Total Access that the 49ers’ defense is predicated on the pass rush, which starts with the former No. 2 pick.
“From day one, I never saw a rookie come in and totally transform a defense like Nick Bosa did for us in my last year there,” Staley said. “He was an unbelievable talent, and losing him last year was such a huge loss for that team. What he can deliver off the edge really sets up that whole entire defense. It allows the linebackers to play a little bit more downhill. It allows the cornerbacks to play a little bit more aggressive. That pass rush is really key for what they want to do there.”
Bosa and Staley clashed plenty during the 2019 season – which was the defensive end’s rookie year and the left tackle’s last. The two have remained in touch even after Staley’s retirement, and he was optimistic when discussing the 2021 campaign.
“I’ve been talking to him this offseason, I know he’s ready, he’s been training incredibly, incredibly hard. So, this is going to be a huge piece for the Niners going forward,” Staley said.
The 49ers rode a sensational rookie season from Bosa to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. He racked up 85 pressures and 9.0 sacks, and was perhaps the single most dominant player on the field in the team’s Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.
San Francisco added Samson Ebukam this offseason to help the pass rush, and there’s some optimism that Dee Ford might return after missing virtually all of last year with a back injury. Still, Bosa is the key to what the 49ers want to defensively. They’re built from the defensive line back, and Bosa is on track to be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has already indicated the team’s star defensive end should be back for training camp, and Staley’s added optimism is just another good sign that Bosa can return at full strength in 2021.