The Raider will meet with NaVorro Bowman‘s agent at this week’s league meetings in an effort to re-sign the veteran linebacker, according to Vic Tafur of the Athletic (Twitter link).
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Bowman, 29, hasn’t drawn much interest since the market opened earlier this month, as Oakland is the only club to which he’s been linked. But he’s clearly the best off-ball linebacker who remains unsigned after fellow free agents such as Nigel Bradham, Avery Williamson, Zach Brown, and Anthony Hitchens all landed contracts.
The Raiders signed Bowman last October after he was released by the 49ers, and he went on to start 10 games for the club. In 15 total games last season, Bowman posted 80 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception while grading as the NFL’s No. 11 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. Bowman said in December that he’d prefer to re-sign with the Raiders, noting his affinity for the Bay Area.
Oakland has already made one major addition to its linebacking corps this offseason by inking former Lion Tahir Whitehead to a three-year deal. Whitehead has experience at each of the linebacker positions, but he’d shift to the outside to make room for Bowman if the latter is re-signed.
Didn’t he have off field issues which led to releases?
No. He had back to back injuries. 9ers drafted Reuben Foster and didnt trust Bowman’s health enough while they liked Foster’s potential. This was all prior to Foster legal stuff. So, you are either confusing Bowman with Foster or Aldon Smith.
No. Here’s a good explanation though.
link to sbnation.com
So, I guess this allows them to NOT take Roquan Smith. So do they draft DT or sign Suh?
Suh is choosing between Rams, titans and saints.