Unable to find a team willing to acquire his contract, the 49ers released 29 year-old NaVorro Bowman on Friday and the Raiders are among the early favorites to kick the tires on the former All-Pro linebacker.
The #49ers paved the way for the future today, releasing veteran LB NaVorro Bowman. How and and why from @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/96dwbZR1VJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2017
According to The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, the Raiders are interested in Bowman and it’s a destination that would probably make sense for both sides.
If Bowman were to move across the bay, he would join one of the weakest linebacker groups in the NFL and receive as much exposure and opportunity as he would likely find anywhere in the league.
With rookie linebacker Marquel Lee out this week with an ankle injury, the Raiders are turning to another rookie in Nicholas Morrow on Sunday against the Chargers. Behind Morrow, the Raiders are left with Tyrell Adams as their only interior linebacker option with experience – and Adams has 18 career tackles.
General manager Reggie McKenzie has shown little desperation in addressing the linebacker position – as though he’s waiting for someone to fall into his lap.
Maybe it’ll be Bowman.
It’s a move that on the surface should be attractive for everyone involved. Bowman would play immediately (maybe for a playoff team) and the Raiders would be addressing one of their greatest needs on the roster.
What’s not to like about the idea?
twitter: @raidersbeat
Team friendly prove it deal…makes sense for both parties…Go Raiders!!!
This would be a great idea for the raiders. Weakest lb corps in the league, Bowman could come on the cheap to earn his next deal and would stand out in our defense. Make it happen and don’t turn into Aldon who I’m not sure even exist anymore. What a shame and waste of talent.
Bring him in . Welcome him to the nation all are welcome
If the Raiders don’t make the playoffs they should fire Del Rio!!! n bring in Jon Gruden!! n fire the GM as well….
I’m pretty sure you don’t understand football. Or how to operate a team. Keep your thoughts indoors buddy.
Leave alone, he done! Major knee surgery and he has slowed down a lot! He’s going to retire.
You’re probably right about him not being what he once was. But even half is better than what we have. Reggies at least gotta bring him in and see what he has left. But when Ray Ray (can’t do anything right) Armstrong is still on your roster and you cut Bowman. That’s saying something! That said didnt we hear the same bullshit about Crab? We at least gotta bring him in and look! Our LB’s SUCK!!!!!!! RAIDERS!!!!!!!!!
I think Navarro Bowman would be a great addition to the Raiders. It’s not every day that a former all-pro linebacker just falls in to your lap, and he’s only 29 years old. A lot of football left in him. Go Raiders!!!!!
He slower that Sean Smith!!
Great leader!-super desire to play after comming back from his injuries. He could also help Norton figure out why his defense has extreme trouble stopping 3rd downs……..DO It! Raiders Foe Evoe!!!
WOWWW REGGIE MCKENZIE.A GIFT.HAS FELL IN YOUR LAP!!!! DONT BE A FOOL AN.LAY BACK.IM A 49ER DIEHARD AN HATED TO.SEE. NAVORRO BOWMAN GO BUT.HE WOULD BE A PERFECT FIT FOR A.WEAK.LINEBACKER CORPS !!! NAVARRO AN PATRICK WILLIS.WERE INCREDIBLE TOGETHER )))) BUT NOW THEY HAVE REUBEN FOSTER WHO.IS THE SECOND COMING OF PATRICK WILLIS A SIDE LINE TO SIDE LINE WRECKING BALL!! HE WILL BE THE.NEW CAPTAIN OF THE 49ER FRONT.SEVEN CALLING OUT SIGNALS FOR THE FORTY NINERS AN NOW REGGIE YOU GOT NAVARRO RIGHT AT YOUR FINGER TIPS !!! HE MAY NOT BE THE PLAYER NONCE WAS BUT HE WILL KEN NORTON JR DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR HAPPY!!! NAVARRO WOULD MAKE A GREAT CAPTAIN OF THE.FRONT.SEVEN TAKING.PRESSURE OF OF KAHLIL MACK AN BRUCE IRVIN I.HOPE MICHEAL CRABTREE , KAHLIL MACK AN EVEN SUSPENDED PLAYER ALDON.SMITH TALK TO HIM!!! WHAT A GIFT TO THE.OAKLAND RAIDERS!!!!REGGIE YOU.GOT TO.MAKE YOUR MOOOOVE NOW)))) NAVARRO.BOWMAN.IM GOING TO.MISS YOU !!! BUT YOU WILL BE HAPPY AS A OAKLAND.RAIDER)))) A.DIE HARD 49ER FAN)))!
With the porous, sieve like underbelly of defense that we had continually put out there each week to be decimated by even the worse rushing attacks in the league Reggie you have no choice but to give the defeywhat it needs!!!
A middle linebacker who is a thumper all day long. Poor KJ gonna kill himself trying to plug the middle and defend the passs too. Do the right thing Reggie!!!!!
If he is as slow as Sean Smith, we don’t need him. If he has something left, he could REALLY help. I don’t understand why Reggie didn’t address the interior linebacker position this offseason. Maybe they missed a draft pick they were counting on. They signed S. Calhoun off the practice squad, but he isn’t going to solve any problems. He’s a substitute body. Raiders can still grab a playoff spot with a good push. Give Bowman a shot and get back in there!!!!