The San Francisco 49ers continue to work to sign star pass rusher Nick Bosa to a contract extension. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year did not report to training camp on July 25 and will remain away from the team until a new deal is finalized.
No one expected it to take this long. General manager John Lynch, speaking with reporters before Wednesday's practice, didn't want to comment on the negotiations themselves. He has maintained that the 49ers and Bosa's representatives agreed to keep those details private.
"No updates," Lynch said. "Yeah, I'm going to stick to that. But [there is] communication, and that's a good thing, so I'll leave it at that."
There is one thing Lynch did make clear. The G.M. was asked if the 49ers might consider trading Bosa.
"No," Lynch responded quickly. "It's real simple."
The 49ers head coach was also asked if there was a chance of San Francisco dealing Bosa, should negotiations continue to drag on.
"No," Kyle Shanahan responded. "I mean, I haven't talked to many people about that, but I know how I feel—pretty strongly—and I think everyone would agree with that."
Earlier this month, Shanahan said he wasn't surprised that the negotiations had taken so long. However, with the start of the regular season just 11 days away, even he did not foresee a delay this lengthy.
"I thought it would come probably to this time, just looking at the history of those things, and I'm really hoping it gets done," Shanahan said. "I know they're working tirelessly at it, John, [vice president of football administration Brian Hampton], [EVP of football operations] Paraag [Marathe]. I know their team is, but hopefully, we can get him in here sooner than later."
Is it odd that the process is taking this long?
"Yeah, but that's where it's at," Lynch responded.
Shanahan added, "You guys know how we feel about Nick, and we all know how good of a player he is. So hopefully, we can come to terms soon and get him here as fast as possible."