Nick Bosa makes feelings known on 49ers' collapse as Lions lead NFC: "We had an off year"

Heading into the final two weeks of the season, Nick Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers aren't where they expected to be. The 49ers were heavyweight favorites heading into the 2024 NFL season after winning the conference title and just narrowly being defeated by the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

On Monday night, the San Francisco 49ers will host the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium, in a rematch of the NFC title game last January. This time, however, the Lions are 13-2 and inching closer to the number one overall seed. The 49ers are just 6-9 and have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn had an opportunity to speak with 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa ahead of Monday's game. On Friday, he asked him a series of questions about his team's disappointing season and facing the Detroit Lions once again.

Q: You mentioned seeing where you were at last year relative to the Lions. What has it been like seeing them ascend while you guys have taken a few steps back? How do you reconcile that?

BOSA: "I don't know how to answer that. They're doing great and we had an off year."

Nick Bosa went on to say that despite the lack of success and the numerous injuries the San Francisco 49ers have endured this season, there are 'worse jobs' that pay well that he could have.

Nick Bosa said 49ers penalties have happened 'too many times'

On Sunday afternoon, the San Francisco 49ers were defeated by the Miami Dolphins 29-17 on the road. It was another game that was filled with penalties for the 49ers. San Francisco had 11 penalties for a total of 90 yards in Sunday's loss.

The penalties have occurred on all sides of the ball: offense, defense and special teams. Nick Bosa was asked about his team's issues after Sunday's loss and he said that the penalties have been the team's biggest issues during this rough season.

"It's happened way too many times this year. When it rains it pours.. it's very frustrating all around. Offense, defense, special teams."-Nick Bosa said after the loss to the Miami Dolphins

Bosa's stats this season have also taken a hit as he has recorded just seven sacks in 2024. Just two years removed from a career-high 18.5 sacks and another 10.5 in 2023, Bosa hasn't had a sack since Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. Since that game, he's missed three games and did not record sacks in his last two outings.