Steve Wilks: Nick Bosa ‘exemplifies’ 49ers defense’s work ethic

New San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks might have needed a separate press conference to speak at length about Nick Bosa.

“I’m excited, and I can be up here all day long talking about the Defensive Player of the Year,” Wilks told reporters last week.

Wilks has only communicated with his star pass rusher virtually and via text messages. While the 49ers reported for the start of the offseason program nearly a month ago, Bosa always uses this time during the offseason to train with his brother, Joey Bosa, of the Los Angeles Chargers, in Florida.

Given the results, the 49ers have no qualms about allowing their Bosa to be away during this portion of the offseason.

Wilks was asked about his first impressions of the fifth-year defensive end and what has stood out most about the talented player.

“I’ve only heard great things about him, even before I got here,” Wilks shared. “Just his personality, going around the league, different guys that I know, and how they just rant and rave about him.”

Bosa is one of the hardest-working players on the team, always trying to find ways to perfect his craft of causing chaos in the backfield. He racked up a career-high and league-leading 18.5 sacks this past season and has recorded 34 sacks since 2021.

While Wilks is impressed by Bosa’s work ethic, the dedication to improving is something he sees everywhere on the 49ers roster. Wilks has been tasked with watching in-season and offseason film from previous years to familiarize himself with his new personnel.

“The work ethic that [Bosa] has, most importantly, is just across the board,” Wilks said. “The standard is set here. These guys work extremely hard, and I’m so impressed just watching those guys work even in phase one.

“I would just watch the individual period every day and just see how they work at all three levels of the defense, and Bosa is a leader of that. He exemplifies that each and every day.”