Steelers Preparing for Nick Bosa to Play

The Pittsburgh Steelers envision the 49ers top player will be back by kickoff.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing as if the San Francisco 49ers will have their reigning Defensive Player of the Year on the field in Week 1. Despite lingering contract negotiations and current holdout by edge rusher Nick Bosa, head coach Mike Tomlin has his team thinking as if he'll be dressed come game time. 

"Yes, we are preparing for Bosa," Tomlin said. "It's prudent for us to assume that he's going to be there and prepare in that vain as opposed to be surprised."

Bosa has not been with the 49ers throughout the preseason as the two sides try to reach an agreement. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, San Francisco has made a "record deal" offer as they approach Week 1.

#49ers Nick Bosa reportedly has a “record deal contract extension on the table,” per @DMRussini pic.twitter.com/wjsaOwcbvw

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 5, 2023

Tomlin alluded to a similar situation the Steelers faced in 2021 when negotiating with T.J. Watt. The two sides agreed to a deal the Friday before their opening game and Watt was on the field by kickoff. He finished the game with two sacks. 

"We were in a similar circumstance with a dynamic rusher a couple years ago in T.J.," Tomlin said. "We got a deal done in the eleventh hour. He showed up in the stadium and he was T.J. Watt that day. That's what those guys do. They show up and they are who they are."

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