File: 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa should be a focal point of the Steelers’ game plan against the Niners on Sunday, according to former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf.
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“If I’m them, I’m running Najee Harris right at Nick Bosa every single play they run the ball,” Leaf said. “He has not been prepared for anything like that.”
Bosa became the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history this week, after recording more than a sack a game for two straight seasons. In 2022, Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-five run defender after he didn’t miss a single tackle against the run. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year can probably handle Harris and Pittsburgh’s offensive line, but maybe Leaf knows something we don’t.
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After the rest of the NFL Network studio reacted with a dubious chorus of “wow,” “interesting” and “hmm,” Leaf hedged by saying Bosa would “be great, he’ll be fine” before adding “but he’s going to have a tough time not having had to deal with anything during training camp.”
“So Najee Harris at him all day long,” Leaf continued, “pulling guards, getting him, kicking him out, figuring out ways to isolate him in the running game.”
Leaf picked the Steelers to beat San Francisco — which has been to two straight NFC title games — saying he’s all-in on Pittsburgh this year.
“They beat the 49ers this weekend at home,” he proclaimed, before going on to say the Steelers are the best organization in football. Naturally.
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Kickoff on Sunday in Pittsburgh is set for 10 a.m. PT.