San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has been absent from the team's training camp since it started almost a week ago.

The 25-year-old is holding out on joining preseason activities since he is currently completing a lucrative contract extension, which is expected to make him the highest-paid defender in NFL history.

49ers general manager John Lynch stated that he understands Bosa's situation, reiterating that he is patient and hopeful that negotiations with the player will ultimately work out.

"I don't like not having one of our best players here. We've got a really good track record that I'm proud of as a group of having our players in, but I also understand it," Lynch told Monday as the team held their initial fully-padded session.

Bosa is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which would see him earn a guaranteed salary of $17.8 million for the 2023 NFL season.

When asked about potentially being the league's highest-paid defender after last season, Bosa said he would "just see where it goes."

Nick Bosa is one of the best defenders in the league

The defensive end out of Ohio State is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, leading the NFL in sacks during the regular season by recording 18.5 sacks for 138 yards in 16 games in 2022.

Bosa was also named in the First Team All-Pro last season and the Pro Bowl in 2019, 2021, and 2022. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.