Latest 49ers rumor says Nick Bosa is close to new contract, will play Week 1

While Nick Bosa's holdout has been an unwelcome distraction entering 2023, the latest reports suggest that a deal could be imminent between him and the 49ers.

Could the end really be coming? The holdout of EDGE Nick Bosa has been hanging over the heads of San Francisco 49ers fans the entire offseason.

But with the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers right around the corner, the current rumor suggests that the defense will be full strength despite reports to the contrary.

Read More: 49ers rumors: NFL insider says Niners, Nick Bosa aren't 'close at all' to new contract

While the natural inclination of every fan would be to give Bosa a blank check and name his price or drive a truck full of money to his front door, big negotiations by nature take a lot of time in the NFL.

But according to Bay Area radio host Jason Dumas of 95.7 The Game, we could be looking at the light at the end of the tunnel:

It's a given that Bosa will be the highest-paid EDGE in the NFL, if not the highest-paid defender total. Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt currently sets the market at a little over $28 million per season, and it isn't out of the question that Bosa becomes the first EDGE to hit the $30 million mark in the NFL.

For total disclosure, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle and constant 49ers tormentor Aaron Donald is the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, being paid $31,666,667 per season.

Bosa would be aiming to be paid higher than this, and it would be a victory if the Niners could talk him under the total.

Regardless of money, however, if the rumors are correct then the end is near for the holdout. If Bosa continues his form from last season that saw him awarded Defensive Player of the Year, 49ers fans aren't going to care how much the defensive lynchpin is paid.