If you hadn't heard about Nick Bosa's season-ending ACL injury in 2020, you never would have known that the San Francisco 49ers defensive end was coming off a devastating setback. Bosa racked up 15.5 regular-season sacks with his 52 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 32 quarterback hits, pass defensed, and four forced fumbles. He added another four postseason sacks to his already impressive stat line.
T.J. Watt was named the 2021 season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year after recording a league-high 22.5 sacks. Watt is among the betting favorites to win the honor for the upcoming season. In fact, according to BetOnline, four players have better odds than Bosa to be named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Below are the current odds for the annual NFL award, courtesy of Odds Shark.
- Myles Garrett, Browns +650
- T.J. Watt, Steelers +700
- Aaron Donald, Rams +750
- Micah Parsons, Cowboys +900
- Nick Bosa, 49ers +1100
- Joey Bosa, Chargers +1800
- Khalil Mack, Chargers +2000
- Chase Young, Commanders +2200
- Von Miller, Bills +2500
- Maxx Crosby, Raiders +2500
Bosa was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 after recording nine regular-season and four postseason sacks, proving to be one a deference maker on the 49ers defense and a rising NFL star. He is eligible for a contract extension and will likely soon become the league's highest-paid defender.
In 2021, many felt Bosa should have been a strong candidate for Comeback Player of the Year honors. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow ended up winning the award. Bosa's head coach, Kyle Shanahan, felt the young pass rusher should have been considered for much more.
"I think he's underrated," Shanahan said in December. "When I hear people just talk about him as Comeback Player of the Year, I don't get why he's not mentioned for NFL MVP."
San Francisco made Bosa the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2019. He is preparing to enter his fourth NFL season.