- Programming Note: “49ers Game Plan” will air on NBC Bay Area at 7pm PT on Saturday, December 31st.
Coach Kyle Shanahan knows star defensive end Nick Bosa can make history in the final two games of the 2022 NFL season. However, Shanahan also knows he has a bigger goal in mind.
In a conversation with 49ers broadcaster Greg Papa on this week’s episode of “49ers Game Plan,” Shanahan explained how San Francisco is balancing Bosa’s journey to surpass the 49ers’ single-season sack record of 19.5 held by Aldon Smith in 2012 — keeping him fresh for the postseason. Bosa needs just 2.5 sacks to claim the record for himself.
“I mean Nick is pretty smart,” Shanahan told Pope. “I mean, he really wants the records, but he knows the bigger picture.”
Shanahan indicated that he “hated” pulling Bosa in the 49ers’ 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders last weekend and was thanked by Bosa for making sure he wasn’t hurt unnecessarily.
“We have to make sure nothing bad happens so it’s very easy for me to move on,” Shanahan continued. “We still have a lot to play for – we’ll keep it that way.”
Bosa recorded two sacks against the Commanders on the way to win another NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award. That said, the 49ers coach was pretty clear on what his plan is with just two regular season games left.
“If he ever gets hit or anything like that, or if the game ever gets out of hand and we know who’s going to win, then we’ll shut him down right away,” Shanahan asserted. “We’re not going to have to say, ‘Hey, you go in there and try to get that record.’
“So it’s limited, but I think he still has a good chance to do it.”
Entering the 49ers’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, the 25-year-old owns a league-high 17.5 sacks and believes he can pass Smith during the last two weeks.
CONNECTED: 49ers’ Bosa named NFC Defensive Player of the Week … again
Expect the 49ers to be steadfast in keeping their pass rusher out of harm’s way, especially as the team has bigger aspirations in mind in February.
