Let the countdown begin for the Pittsburgh Steelers' first game of the 2023 NFL season. The San Francisco 49ers will come to town in Week 1 and the task at hand will not be an easy one for Mike Tomlin's crew as Kyle Shanahan's squad is coming off a trip to the NFC Championship Game and a 13-4 regular season record. Pittsburgh will try to get things started off on the right foot and begin a campaign with a win for the fourth straight year. Second-year quarterback, Kenny Pickett and his unit will have their hands full against a star-studded defense.
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) warms up with his teammates on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The 49ers' offense was sixth in the NFL in 2022 in points scored and it appears expected starting quarterback, Brock Purdy is healthy after elbow surgery. He was recently cleared to participate in training camp activities and Pittsburgh's defense is going to have to strategize to contain a juggernaut of an offense with weapons all over the place.
That will be a challenge in and of itself, but the Steelers' offense is the group that has the biggest hurdle to jump. After averaging just 18.1 points per game in 2022, they will take on a San Francisco defense that led the NFL allowing just 16.3 points per game. For reference, the team in second had a mark of 17.9 and that was the Buffalo Bills.
Pittsburgh may have an unexpected advantage in Week 1, however. While the entire defense is loaded for the 49ers, it's impossible to deny that reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa, is the best player on the unit. He compiled 51 tackles, 48 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss and an incredibly impressive 18.5 sacks in 2022.
San Francisco 49ers edge rusher and reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa. | Photo Credit: Michael Zagaris / Getty Images
Bosa played out the first four seasons of his rookie contract and as expected, the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option for 2023. He currently does not have a new deal in place and is expected to be absent for the team's 2023 training camp until he gets the kind of contract he believes he deserves. It's very likely he tops the second contract TJ Watt received in 2021.
The major difference between Watt and Bosa's situations is that Watt decided to "hold in" at camp. This meant he was still around his teammates and working out on the side to prevent any kind of injury that would hinder contract negotiations. The Steelers and their franchise pass rusher finally agreed to a deal just days prior to the 2021 campaign beginning.
Currently, according to Over The Cap, the 49ers have just under $10 million in cap space. This will not keep them from extending Bosa (his cap hit is just shy off $18 million in 2023), but with the amount of money he is going to get, it needs to structured in a way that works for both the franchise and the star defender. It could be agreed upon any day now, or take a month to get it signed, sealed and delivered.
Steelers star edge rusher, TJ Watt warms up on the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA prior to a 2022 preseason game. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Could Have Massive Advantage In Week 1 Versus San Francisco
This is where Pittsburgh may have a significant advantage when the two teams clash at Acrisure Stadium in September. Bosa is talented enough to sit out the entire preseason and be fresh and ready to go, but it's hard to be away from your teammates and the new defensive players while then being thrown into things the week of the first game. Watt had a great first game in 2021 (two sacks and a forced fumble), but was holding in, around his teammates and visibly working out.
There's no reason to believe Bosa isn't working out away from the 49ers training camp facility, but no matter how good a player or defense is, not having the most important piece of your unit throughout a month of preparation for Week 1 is not an ideal way to begin the season, including simple team meetings. San Francisco would be wise to figure out the finances quickly and get Bosa to practice or the unit might be a step behind on September 10th in Pittsburgh.
Bosa's teammate, Fred Warner, was adamant when speaking to reporters about having no concerns about the edge rusher not being around for the first day of training camp.
"If there’s one guy I wouldn’t worry about being in shape for training camp, I think it would be Nick Bosa."
But what Warner fails to mention (and wouldn't even if he were thinking it), is that it's not just about being in shape. Regardless of talent, there are 11 players on defense at all times and communication and camaraderie are pivotal for any group. If the holdout extends into August and maybe even September, the Steelers' offense and Pickett may not have the full advantage, but San Francisco's defense might not be 100% up to speed with one another.
Do you think Bosa holding out could create a unique leg up for Pittsburgh in Week 1? Let us know in the comments below!
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