The San Francisco 49ers began the 2023 season with excessive expectations and star defensive finish Nick Bosa is not any exception with regards to setting lofty requirements for himself.
Nonetheless, as we head into the second half of the season, Bosa admits he hasn’t met his personal efficiency expectations, and he believes that his prolonged contract holdout throughout coaching camp may be partly responsible.
In an interview with The Athletic on Wednesday, Bosa shared his ideas on how his holdout could have impacted his early-season efficiency, saying, “I believe somewhat bit.”
He continued, “I believe I am attempting to work on stuff on the run this yr that I wasn’t in a position to do in camp. So, these video games that I discussed, the 2, I believe I used to be considering an excessive amount of as a result of I used to be attempting so as to add one thing to my rush plan which isn’t what I wish to be doing in the course of the season. I wish to be locked in on what I do finest and simply doing it all through the entire yr. However there isn’t any excuse at this level for that.”
Bosa emphasised that his focus and mindset have not been the place he desires them to be in the course of the 49ers’ first seven video games.
He pointed to his struggles within the Week 1 sport towards the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns as proof.
Bosa maintains spectacular efficiency metrics
He presently holds a exceptional 92.8 general grade from Professional Soccer Focus (PFF), making him the second-highest-rated edge defender within the league.
Moreover, Bosa’s17 quarterback hits are a team-high for the Niners, and his 29 quarterback pressures are tied for the workforce lead and rank 14th within the NFL, alongside notable names like Aaron Donald and Maxx Crosby.
Speaking about sacks in his stat sheet Bosa mentioned “I strive to not equate them hand-in-hand, as a result of such as you mentioned, it is not an actual correlation, in any respect.”
He continued: “I believe I performed actually good video games this yr that have not been sack video games. After which I discussed Cleveland; I acquired one sack, and that was one in every of my worst video games. I believe in the event you simply keep the course, they’re going to finally come in the event you’re placing your self in the correct positions. I am attempting to proceed to play as much as my normal, and I believe these will come. It is a actually lengthy yr, so hopefully within the largest moments is after they come.”
In September, Bosa signed a profitable five-year, $170 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback within the NFL.
This extension adopted his exceptional 2022 season, throughout which he posted a career-high 18.5 sacks.
Bosa’s severely low sack tally
Nonetheless, Bosa’s2023 season has been much less prolific when it comes to sacks.
He has had 4 video games with out a sack and is presently on tempo for simply six sacks this yr.
In accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats, his stress price this season has dipped to a career-low of 12.8%.
Bosa remains to be creating stress and affecting quarterbacks, however he hasn’t been in a position to convert these pressures into the sacks that he is identified for, which play a pivotal position in San Francisco’s defensive scheme.
Regardless of the statistics and efficiency metrics, Bosa stays relentless in his pursuit of excellence, asserting, “I do not suppose I’ve, such as you mentioned, I am arduous on myself, I do not suppose I’ve performed an amazing sport but.”
Because the 49ers purpose to bounce again from their latest two-game dropping streak, they’ve a chance to enhance their sack numbers after they face the Cincinnati Bengals after their bye week this Sunday.
