The internet ran amok Tuesday with unsubstantiated rumors that the 49ers were nearing a deal to trade defensive end Nick Bosa instead of paying him.
A post on Reddit gained enough traction on the internet that general manager John Lynch was asked about it in his press conference Wednesday. The GM had a terse response.
“No,” Lynch said. “Real simple.”
It would’ve sent a massive shockwave through the organization if the result of the months-long negotiation on a long-term contract for Bosa was him getting dealt just before the start of the regular season.
Some pointed to the team’s trade of DeForest Buckner before the 2020 season, but the two situations are pretty dramatically different. The 49ers have operated all offseason with urgency knowing their Super Bowl window with this group of players is closing fast. Moving Bosa would’ve flown directly in the face of their stated goal of winning a Super Bowl. He plays a premium position, and one the team has indicated is the most important on their defense.
With Buckner there was a question about his positional value at defensive tackle, and the team had confidence they’d find a replacement via that year’s NFL draft. That hasn’t worked out, but the thought process then provides no insight into how their thought process might work with Bosa.
There are plenty of outcomes to Bosa’s holdout, and Lynch said the team is in contact with their star defensive end, but it doesn’t sound like a trade is on the table.
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