Why 49ers wouldn’t trade Nick Bosa for Deshaun Watson
Nick Bosa is an essential piece to the 49ers defense. And while Deshaun Watson is an elite quarterback, Bosa shouldn’t be a trade chip.
It’s now the NFL offseason, and it’s a wonderful time where all sorts of rumors start and fans wonder what is legit and what is not.
The San Francisco 49ers are not exempt from this. There have plenty of rumors and ideas going around on what the team will do this offseason, and a good chunk of the speculation is awfully important. The Niners’ situation at quarterback has been quite the hot topic so far. And you’re all probably wondering how that ties into EDGE Nick Bosa.
Well, there has been an idea San Francisco should trade Bosa to get an upgrade at quarterback, namely Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans in light of him wanting out from underneath his current employer.
That it would turn out to be a horrific mistake to trade Bosa, even for a player of Watson’s ilk.
Bosa is a blue-chip player who came in as a rookie and had tremendous success on the field with nine sacks, a Defensive Player of the Year nod and the prime reason why the 49ers defensive line in 2019 was such a vaunted unit. His talent was obvious even in college, and that ultimately led to him being viewed as the best player in the 2019 NFL Draft despite being the second name called on draft day. When he joined the Niners his rookie season, Bosa’s production helped the defense become a top unit in the league, and San Francisco rode its defense all the way to within minutes of victory in Super Bowl LIV.
He is that important of a player. This type of talented player does not come around very often.
Now, some of his impact comes from the fact he plays a very important position. And Bosa’s position on the defensive line completes the entire unit. Yet Bosa’s presence elevates the pass rush.
In a league where quarterbacks dominate, stopping those quarterbacks from doing so becomes just as important.
Let’s not say that the quarterback lacks importance or, at least in San Francisco’s case, it doesn’t need to be upgraded from Jimmy Garoppolo either this offseason or at some point later. In reality, it does need to be addressed this offseason if possible. And to be honest, since Bosa tore his ACL early last season, we do not know how he’ll perform in 2021. Fortunately, though, a player recovering from an ACL today is much more likely to fully recover and be productive on the field than in previous seasons. That bodes well for Bosa’s future, and it doesn’t change the fact he’s still a vital cog in the 49ers defense.
Bosa is an extremely talented player who has proven himself to be a key cog for San Francisco. Giving up a player of his talent, especially after seeing what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line did in its domination over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, should set the blueprint for how top-performing defenders should be utilized.
Upgrading at quarterback is important, especially for a player of Watson’s caliber.
Next. Pros, cons behind a 49ers trade of Jimmy Garoppolo. dark
Just not at the risk of the defense and the defensive line with Nick Bosa in the fold.