Biggest winners, losers from Nick Bosa's massive extension from 49ers
By Peter Panacy
Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers (and possibly the LA Rams)
The 49ers open up their 2023 regular-season campaign on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who would have loved nothing more but to not see Nick Bosa in Week 1.
After all, the later things got with no contract, and the regular season just days away, the signs were pointing to Bosa being absent, and the Niners pass rush is significantly weaker without him in the fray.
Related story: Will Nick Bosa suit up for 49ers in Week 1 vs. Steelers?
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters shortly after the Bosa extension went live that the star edge rusher would "have to have a beer belly" in order not to play on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Additionally, San Francisco travels to take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. LA probably had hoped Bosa's holdout would have lasted a couple of weeks into the regular season.
Instead, Bosa will bring his five regular-season sacks against the Rams down to SoFI Stadium, the most against any other team over his budding career.