A sensational 2022 NFL campaign has given Nick Bosa a massive salary bump, with the San Francisco 49ers reportedly re-signing the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end to a five-year contract extension.

Bosa led the league with 18.5 sacks during the 2022 regular season, and according to reports, the 25-year-old will earn $170 million over the next five years, including $122.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

The native of Fort Lauderdale has 43 sacks in 51 games played and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, the second time he’s received that honour (2019).

His new $34 million annual salary would put him ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end TJ Watt, who is currently earning $28 million a season, while the Rams’ Aaron Donald is making $31.6 million.

Over his four-year NFL career, Bosa has tallied 106 quarterback hits, playing a big part in the Niners being the top-ranked defence last season, with San Fran allowing a league-low 16.3 points per game and only 300.58 yards per contest.

His impressive performances last season earned him a First-team All-Pro selection, while the club added some extra beef along the line of scrimmage during the offseason, signing Javon Hargrave from the Philadelphia Eagles to a four-year deal worth $84 million.

A First-Team All-American at Ohio State, Bosa was ranked fourth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023, with the only ones above him being Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson and reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes.

San Francisco will open the 2023 regular season against TJ Watt and the Steelers on Sunday.