The Oakland Raiders have had a tough start to the 2017 NFL season. Although the biggest disappointment has come from the lackluster offense, the defense has long been an area of concern for the Raiders.
However, the defense has shown some steady improvement over the past few weeks and now could be getting even better. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Oakland has signed four-time All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman to a one-year, $3 million deal:
Former 49ers’ LB NaVorro Bowman is signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Raiders, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 16, 2017
Bowman was excited about the prospect of getting to choose his next team and it seems he decided to look no further than across The Bay. Despite originally planning to visit with the Dallas Cowboys as well, the former San Francisco 49ers star interestingly went to a struggling Raiders team.
During his seven-year tenure with the 49ers, Bowman registered 708 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, 28 pass breakups and four interceptions in 89 games. Needless to say, he has established himself as one of the NFL’s best inside linebackers when healthy.
Although Bowman has been plagued by severe injuries in recent years, he has played in the majority of San Francisco’s snaps thus far in the 2017 NFL season. The prospect of joining a talented, yet underachieving squad like Oakland, could mean that he has interest in sticking around beyond this year.
