Why Kyle Shanahan Isn't Worried if Nick Bosa Misses all of Training Camp

Kyle Shanahan isn't worried one bit should Nick Bosa miss all of 49ers training camp due to his holdout. Here is why.

Today marks the 14th day of Nick Bosa's holdout from 49ers training camp.

A bit of concern has to be creeping up on the 49ers by now. A full two weeks has gone by with little to nothing to go on. The first preseason game is already nearing, which makes the original minimal level of concern I had two weeks ago spike up a bit. That is the first benchmark I said for the concern to rise in an article I wrote when Bosa's holdout first started.

And yet, Kyle Shanahan is unbothered by it all. He isn't worried one bit if Bosa misses all of training camp with his holdout. Shanahan shared why he isn't concerned if that ends up being the case at his press conference on Monday.

"I don't know if Bosa has ever done a training camp and he has done pretty good. It's a little different when you're a defensive lineman," said Shanahan. "Everybody wants people here and you want to do that stuff, but it doesn't affect the team as much from a defensive end standpoint. I have as much confidence in Nick as any player I've ever been around in terms of how he prepares and everything. I know they're going to get it right, both sides, and I'm excited for when I do see him.”

Shanahan does have a point. Of all the positions in football, defensive end is one of the top ones that can miss so much time and still be alright for the regular season. There is a reason why so many free agent veteran defensive lineman were available until recently. It's because they can skip the majority of training camp and show up at a high-level. And if they aren't at that high-level, then it doesn't take long for them to start ramping up. 

Defensive ends are essentially solo players. They're like punters and kickers. They can easily plug and play unlike other positions like a wide receiver. Look at Deebo Samuel last year. He only missed four days of training camp, and that alone was enough to throw off his start to the season. Granted, there were other factors involved, but it goes to show that a wide receiver cannot afford to miss time and start off late. It completely throws their entire equilibrium off. Momentum is everything in this sport and that is one example of it.

Still, I think a bit more concern is warranted. The 49ers knew what it was going to take and cost to extend Bosa. He's coming off the best season of his career where he earned All-Pro honors, Pro Bowl honors, and won the Defensive Player of the Year award. The brinks truck should have been scheduled to pull up into his driveway. But it does take two sides for an agreement to materialize. Bosa is simply waiting for the market of other defensive linemen so that he can be the last one in order to maximize his value. 

Panic should only ensue once the preseason is wrapped up. By then, it will be a flurry of questions against the 49ers