Nick Bosa wants every member in the defensive line room to return in 2025.
Whenever you compliment the San Francisco 49ers, there’s a “Yeah, but.” Take Week 15’s loss against the Los Angeles Rams. The defense played lights out, but one big play late in the fourth quarter was the difference.
Nick Bosa returned for the first time since Week 11. His presence was felt, as Sports Info Solutions credited Bosa with the second-most quarterback hits (4) he had all season, including a season-high in quarterback knockdowns (3).
Bosa led the defensive line in holding the Rams to a negative rushing yards over expected, as well as a negative EPA per rush. Bosa explained how watching the game back got him excited for the future:
“Obviously, it didn’t turn out, this year, that game, how we wanted. But I see a lot of guys in our d-line room, I want all of them back next year. I think we have all of the players in our room right now to be that dominant line, and we looked like it on Thursday night.”
Bosa, Jordan Elliott, Maliek Collins, and Yetur Gross-Matos all recorded at least two pressures, with Gross-Matos leading the way with four. But stopping the run matters, and Elliott, Leonard Floyd, Bosa, Robert Beal Jr., and Evan Anderson each contributed multiple stops.
The defensive line answered the bell and came to play, whether it was against the run or the pass. Bosa said it’s taken Floyd an adjustment period going from more of an outside linebacker to a defensive end, but Floyd’s improvements since the beginning of the season have been drastic:
“His performance from the first Rams performance to this one…unbelievable. He’s playing the run incredible. Maliek’s been great all year—almost a career-high in sacks. Flo’s trying to get a career-high. Yetur’s trying to get a career-high, and he missed half the year.
Love what Evan’s done, I think he’s going to keep ascending. KD[Kalia Davis], Rob. All players that are young and that’ll keep getting better. Most of them are going to be here next year, I think, so I’m excited. I want the same guys in the room, and I think a lot of growth happened this year.”
Bosa talked about the little things that you have to rep over and over again when you first learn Kris Kocurek’s style of play. Bosa elected to focus on the bright side after a season that has not gone the 49ers way:
“When you’re in the situation we’re in. You look at the bright side and the fact that everyone’s taken steps in the right direction.”
While it’s beyond a long shot for the 49ers to make the playoffs, now is when you play for your future, teammates, and credibility. As Bosa mentioned, there are plenty of personal accolades multiple players can accomplish as well.