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49ers D-line just scratching the surface after stifling Jets running game – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers went back to basics by stifling the New York Jets' running game in their 32-19 win on “Monday Night Football,” and the defensive line is collectively convinced this is just the beginning.

Stopping the run was important to defensive end Nick Bosa, especially after the unit's underwhelming performance in that area during the 2023 NFL season. The star pass rusher was happy that the group only allowed the Jets a total of 68 yards on the ground in the opening game of the 2024 regular season.

“If we can stop the run like that, we're obviously going to fix more things and have a lot more rush ops going forward,” Bosa said after the game at Levi's Stadium. “…That's just our main focus every year because when you make teams one-dimensional, it's huge. …

“We're very proud of it. Last year we weren't as good as we needed to be, so we had to improve.”

The only quarterback sack the group recorded was by free agent signing Leonard Floyd, who was the last man to sack Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2023. The play ended in a season-ending Achilles tendon injury for the four-time NFL MVP.

Floyd believes the 49ers' defensive line as a group could be the cornerstone of the defense. The nine-year NFL veteran is excited to see what the season brings.

“We have great potential,” Floyd told NBC Sports Bay Area. “We just have to go out and execute. We have to go out and walk the talk.” [This is] just scratching the surface of what we can actually do. I'm looking forward to getting out there next week and training even harder.”

Stopping the run, however, often starts inside the line, and the 49ers have brought in new contributors there as well. Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott have already made an impact on defense and, along with Javon Hargrave, have been instrumental in preventing the Jets from moving the ball on the ground.

“There's still a lot left,” Collins said after the game. “There's still a lot left on the field. We would have liked to get him a little more. I'm mad at myself for the last one; I let him escape through the B-gap in the red zone.”

Bosa was impressed with Collins and what the team's new defensive tackle could do alongside him. Floyd, on the other hand, will draw the attention of opposing offenses, and that will give everyone opportunities.

“I think, [Floyd] on the other side will open up a lot of opportunities for all the guys pushing forward,” Bosa said. “Maliek has played a fantastic game in the run game and is a great veteran, and he and I will work really well together there on the left side.”

Bosa praised both coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager/president of football operations John Lynch for assembling the defensive line for the season. The All-Pro believes each player came in with the right mindset for a dominant season.

“When you come into this building, you really have no choice but to play hard and play Niner football,” Bosa said. “I think tonight was the epitome of a Niner win, but we're just scratching the surface. I think we're going to have a lot of entertaining games.”

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