Reaction To 49ers’ NaVorro Bowman Release
The 49ers ultimately released veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman today after failing to find a suitable trade partner, but at least one club did have interest in Bowman, general manager John Lynch told reporters, including Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). Lynch said the 49ers likely could have dealt Bowman to that particular team, but Bowman didn’t want to play for that unidentified club. Given that it’s unlikely a non-contender would have interest in an expensive two-down linebacker, it’s possible Bowman’s misgivings were geographical in nature, although that’s entirely speculative.
Here’s more on Bowman and the 49ers:
- Bowman is reportedly “excited” to become a free agent and have the ability to pick his next team, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). As Florio reported earlier today, Bowman didn’t have any offset language in his 49ers contract, meaning he can collect his fully guaranteed San Francisco salary and earn money from his new club. As such, Bowman will take home the rest of his $4.7MM guarantee plus whatever he can wrangle on the open market.
- An offensive coach who faced Bowman earlier this year tells Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link) that while Bowman can no longer run like he used to, he’s still a solid tackler. Although Bowman remains a capable run defender, he’s a liability in the passing game. Hypothetically, that could be a problem for Bowman in a league where defenses play nickel on two-thirds of snaps.
- One team that likely won’t be pursuing Bowman is the division-rival Cardinals, whom Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM (Twitter link) don’t have any interest in the 29-year-old linebacker. Arizona has made a habit of inking aging defensive players (Dwight Freeney, Antoine Bethea), but that apparently won’t be happening with Bowman. The Cardinals are set at inside linebacker with Karlos Dansby and Deone Bucannon.
- The 49ers will absorb $4.774MM in 2018 dead money as a result of releasing Bowman, the same total they would have taken on had they traded him, as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap writes in his analysis of the transaction.
No Offset Language In Bowman’s Deal
The 49ers do not have special offset language in NaVorro Bowman‘s contract, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link) has learned. That means Bowman can collect on both his guaranteed salary from San Francisco and pay from another team, based on the NFLPA’s understanding of his deal. 
[RELATED: 49ers Release LB NaVorro Bowman]
Players with offset language tend to approach free agency differently than those who do not. Darrelle Revis, for example, is owed $6MM from the Jets for the 2017 season, so he would effectively be playing for free if he were to sign with any team for less than that amount.
Since Bowman can double-dip, he probably won’t be willing to just sign with any club for the minimum. Instead, you can expect him to take full advantage of the double dip and encourage bidding amongst the interested teams. Although, he might be inclined to take a discount to play with a contender since he has not been to the postseason since 2013.
49ers Release LB NaVorro Bowman
NaVorro Bowman’s time in San Francisco has come to an end. The Niners announced that he has been released. 
[RELATED: No Offset Language In Bowman’s Deal]
“NaVorro gave his heart and soul to this team for the last eight years, and for that we are all extremely grateful,” said 49ers GM John Lynch. “During that time, NaVorro was a key component of one of the best teams in the League and his passion for the game allowed him to quickly become a favorite of our Faithful fans. Thursday evening, Kyle and I met with NaVorro, and from our conversation it became evident that going in different directions was best for both him and our team. Although NaVorro may be moving on, he will always be looked at as one of the great players to wear the red and gold. We wish him and his family great success.”
On Friday, it was reported that the Niners were working to trade the veteran linebacker. Earlier this week, Bowman’s agent Drew Rosenhaus sent a letter to the league’s other 31 teams saying he had permission to seek a trade (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Even with Rosenhaus working to find a suitor, it couldn’t be done. Apparently, no one was willing to take on Bowman’s mammoth contract, which included a $12MM cap hit for the 2018 season.
Bowman first entered the league as a third-round pick of San Francisco in 2010. In the eight seasons since, he has earned First-Team All-Pro honors four times and three Pro Bowl trips. He also led the team in tackles in four of the previous six seasons (2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015).
Despite his impressive resume, Bowman has been subbed out frequently by the coaching staff this offseason. The pitch count was devised to keep Bowman fresh and healthy, but the veteran wanted no part of the linebacker rotation. He’ll finish out the SF portion of his 2017 season with 37 tackles, one pass defensed, and no sacks in five games. According to the metrics at Pro Football Focus, Bowman was playing some of the worst football of his career this year. His poor 45.0 grade puts him near the bottom of the league’s qualified linebackers, a precipitous drop from his past work.
49ers Shopping LB NaVorro Bowman
NaVorro Bowman is on the block. The 49ers are shopping the linebacker and there are teams interested, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Schefter adds that his time in San Francisco could “soon could come to an end,” so a trade could be imminent. 
This isn’t the first time that Bowman has been rumored to be on the block, but this time around the whispers are more like screams. This season, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has limited Bowman’s snaps in an effort to keep him fresh and that has not been sitting well with the veteran.
“I would expect him to fight tooth and nail to come off the field and I would expect him to fight tooth and nail to get back on the field. That’s why Bowman is a special football player,” Saleh said on Thursday (link via USA Today).
Bowman, 29, suffered an Achilles tear around this time last year, ending his season after just five games. He also missed the entire 2014 campaign due to injury. The Niners’ desire to protect Bowman is understandable, but he is too fierce of a competitor to accept a reduced role in a three-man rotation.
The 49ers vigorously denied reports of Bowman being on the block this past spring, but it sure sounds like they are serious about shipping him out. Bowman has proven himself to be a world-class talent in past seasons, but there’s a new regime in SF and they are not keen on keeping him around in 2018 with a cap hit of $12MM. His contract runs through the 2022 season – his age-34 campaign.
Trading Bowman for draft picks would allow the 0-5 Niners to build towards the future while moving first-round pick Reuben Foster to his preferred role at Mike linebacker. The trade deadline is on Oct. 31, so the Niners have a little over two weeks to find a taker.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/11/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Givens Price
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: K Mike Meyer, DL Jonathan Woodard
- Placed on injured list: TE Joshua Perkins
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Mike Purcell
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Carl Bradford, WR Darreus Rogers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Amba Etta-Tawo
- Released: LB Marcus Rush
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DL Jeremy Liggins
- Released: DL Noble Nwachukwu
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/10/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: C Derrick Nelson, DT Kapron Lewis-Moore
- Released: TE Ryan Malleck, S Ronald Martin
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: TE Ryan O’Malley, C Adam Redmond
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Matt Lengel
- Released: TE J.P. Holtz
New England Patriots
- Signed: G Cole Toner
- Released: QB Taylor Heinicke, G Jason King
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Woodrow Hamilton, LB Shayne Skov
- Released: CB Bradley Sylve
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Ethan Cooper, WR Kalif Raymond
- Released: OL Anthony Fabiano
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Jahad Thomas
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Deontae Skinner
- Released: LB Boseko Lokombo
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DE Alex McCalister
- Released: WR Rashard Davis
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DE Noble Nwachukwu
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Larry Webster
- Released: FB Austin Johnson
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/10/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LS Justin Drescher
- Placed on injured reserve: LS Aaron Brewer
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted to active roster: DT Taniela Tupou
Cleveland Browns
- Released from IR: T Matt McCants
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers: CB Marcus Williams
- Released: CB Johnthan Banks, T Jah Reid
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: CB Josh Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: LB Gabe Martin
New York Giants
- Promoted to active roster: WR Ed Eagan
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: CB Demetrius McCray
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: CB Asa Jackson
49ers To Sign CB Leon Hall
Cornerback Leon Hall has signed with the 49ers, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). There’s no word on the terms of the deal yet, but it’s likely a one-year pact for a prorated portion of the minimum salary. 
Hall, 32, worked out for the Niners a few times this year. After watching the secondary struggle for more than a month, they’ve finally called on Hall for some veteran help.
After nine seasons with the Bengals, Hall joined up with the Giants last year. The corner appeared in 12 games (two starts), totaling 20 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception. He’s no longer a higher-end starter, but Hall can be a regular contributor, particularly for a team like the Niners.
San Francisco saw three cornerbacks — Ahkello Witherspoon, Asa Jackson, Rashard Robinson — leave Sunday’s game with injury at various points, so secondary depth is certainly an issue. Hall, with his ability to play both safety and corner, will pad the club’s roster for the time being.
Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/9/17
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Promoted to active roster: LB Isaiah Irving
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Released from IR: FB Marquez Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted to active roster: LB Darnell Sankey
- Placed on IR: WR Krishawn Hogan
New York Giants
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (story), WR Dwayne Harris (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Claimed off waivers: S Dexter McCoil
- Waived: DB Lorenzo Jerome
49ers Trying To Extend Carlos Hyde
The 49ers are attempting to extend running back Carlos Hyde, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, as Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports. Hyde, who has missed time due to injury in each of his first four seasons in the league (including two of San Francisco’s first four games this year), has been excellent during the two games he has been on the field in 2017, piling up 169 yards on just 24 carries for a whopping seven yards per rush.
The 49ers’ decision to try and extend Hyde’s contract represents quite a reversal from earlier this year, when it was reported that the team’s new regime was not sold on Hyde and was perhaps looking for his replacement. As late as August, we heard that the 49ers were not really considering an extension for the Ohio State product, but his performance in head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s offense has compelled the team to reconsider.
As La Canfora notes, however, Hyde might not be interested in an extension. Although his injury history suggests he could be open to a multi-year deal now in the hopes of obtaining some financial security, he could be selling himself short if we were to accept such a deal. After all, the 2018 free agent class of running backs is quite weak outside of Steelers’ star Le’Veon Bell, and it is almost impossible to envision Pittsburgh allowing Bell to get away. As such, Hyde could hit the market at a perfect time for him to cash in, as there would surely be a handful of teams willing to take a big gamble on someone with his ability (he has averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his career).
49ers GM John Lynch is apparently now sold on Hyde and may be trying to buy low. Whether Hyde is willing to seriously entertain extension contract negotiations with the rebuilding 49ers at this time remains to be seen.