What Joey Bosa's reported new contract means for brother Nick, 49ers

Nick Bosa and the 49ers likely won't agree on a contract extension until at least two offseasons from now, but when they do, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is going to get paid.

Bosa had at least two reasons to celebrate Tuesday night, as his older brother, Joey, reportedly agreed to a record-setting contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers. 

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When it comes time for the younger brother's extension, it surely will top that.

Two weeks ago, Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns agreed to a record-setting five-year, $125 million contract extension, of which $100 million was guaranteed. It made Garrett the highest-paid defensive player in annual average salary in NFL history.

Well, for two weeks, anyway.

With a reported five-year, $135 million extension with the Chargers, of which $102 million is guaranteed, Joey Bosa has leapfrogged Garrett on that list.

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Thus is the pattern of NFL contracts, as premium players continually reset the market at their positions. Nick Bosa will do the same when his time comes, and there are bound to be other players who bump up the total number in the meantime. The inevitable extension for Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt certainly has the potential to eclipse Joey Bosa's, for instance.

The 49ers gladly will pay Nick Bosa whatever the market deems, and after one season in the NFL, there's every reason to believe he'll be worth it. The good news for San Francisco is that the salary cap is expected to significantly increase by the time a Bosa extension will become necessary, which will be a big help given how large that number is going to be.

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