49ers 3 best candidates to win NFL MVP award in 2022
By Peter Panacy
49ers MVP candidate No. 2: EDGE Nick Bosa
If a non-quarterback offensive player is currently a long shot to win an NFL MVP award nowadays, a defensive player is almost unheard of.
The last to do it was New York Giants star pass-rusher Lawrence Taylor way back in 1986.
So, if you’re looking at a San Francisco player to somehow take home the award from the defensive side of the ball, the likeliest of candidates would be EDGE Nick Bosa, who earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2021 in the wake of his 15.5 sacks and league-best 21 tackles for a loss.
Truth be told, fans should probably be gunning for Bosa to win the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, and he’ll be in hot contention with standout players like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ EDGE, T.J. Watt, and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for the accolade.
Read More: Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel were 49ers’ offensive, defensive MVPs in 2021
From Bosa’s MVP-hopeful perspective, though, he’ll certainly have more support in 2022 than he did a year ago when he enjoyed a career-high 15.5 sacks. The 49ers will be getting back a fully healthy defensive tackle in Javon Kinlaw and also spent their first pick in the NFL Draft on a pass-rusher, USC’s Drake Jackson, who’ll serve to take some pressure off Bosa and allow him more favorable matchups.
Bosa still would have to wreck the season to be named MVP, though, likely needing to set single-season sack and TFL records to even sniff the discussion.
If any defensive player on the Niners could do it, though, Bosa is it.