Aaron Donald just had a title stripped from him by an NFC West rival.
According to reports, Nick Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a deal that will pay the star defender $170 million over five years. That’s an average of $34 million per year, surpassing Donald as the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Donald set the record with his current contract, which pays him $31.67 million per year, so Bosa eclipses him by more than $2.3 million annually.
Before the 2022 season, Donald signed a three-year deal worth $95 million, ripping up his old deal and earning a hefty new payday for what could be the final three seasons of his NFL career.
At $34 million per season, he jumps Aaron Donald ($31.7 million) to become the new highest-paid defensive player. Still a few practices to get ready to play this weekend for the #49ers. https://t.co/hOtDPDnwWi
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 6, 2023
There’s no doubt Donald’s salary was the target for Bosa this offseason, hoping to earn more than the three-time Defensive Player of the Year – similar to the way Chris Jones of the Chiefs wants to. Therefore, Bosa owes Donald a bottle of wine for helping him become the richest defender in league history.
Bosa had been holding out and skipping practice with the 49ers, putting him in danger of missing the start of the season. But with a new contract lined up, he’ll be on the field in Week 2 against the Rams (barring injury).
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