Week 1 of the 2023 NFL regular season is officially started for any team that doesn’t play on Thursday Night Football. In other words, teams who play on Sunday have officially started their week of preparation for their first game.

For many teams, this is nothing of note, but for the San Francisco 49ers, it is significant. It’s significant based on the fact their All-Pro, and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa remains away from the team.

It was rumored last week Bosa and the 49ers were closing in on a new deal, but that has yet to come to fruition in the form of a new contract. It is now being reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network that Bosa is not in the building for meetings as the 49ers start their preparation for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the regular season.

With the first practice of game week upon us, #49ers star Nick Bosa is not in the building for meetings with his teammates, sources say, as his holdout stretches into the regular season. His status for Week 1 is now in doubt as he seeks a blockbuster contract extension.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2023

Could the two sides still strike a deal and have Bosa playing on Sunday in Acrisure Stadium? Absolutely, and I’m sure the 49ers are leaving the door open for Bosa to play up until kickoff at 1pm EST. Bosa is the type of player who doesn’t need a ton of repetitions to get himself ready to play.

Would Bosa be in “game shape”? That’s a different discussion altogether.

A few years ago when T.J. Watt had a similar contract discussion with the Steelers, the two handled their respective situations vastly different. Watt had a “hold in” where he participated in every day of training camp practice, but only individual drills. Bosa hasn’t been around the team for the duration of training camp or the preseason. Following Watt signing a deal prior to Week 1, he had 2 sacks but talked about how he wasn’t in regular game shape.

Bosa is the same type of player, and could do plenty of damage if he and the 49ers come to terms on a contract. Yet this situation might not resolve itself before kickoff, something Steelers fans are watching closely.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the 49ers this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.