NaVorro Bowman moves across town and joins (improves?) Raiders defense

Veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman has signed a one year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

The San Franscisco 49ers cut linebacker NaVorro Bowman three days ago, but he did not even have to leave the Bay Area before finding a new home. Adam Schefter has reported the eight-year veteran is signing a one-year deal worth $3 million with the Oakland Raiders.

Bowman has spent all eight years of his career with the 49ers. He was part of the San Francisco team that went to Super Bowl XLVIII. That team featured Bowman and Patrick Willis as middle linebackers, at the time the best duo in the NFL.

The 49ers benched Bowman in Week 4. After the game, he voiced his displeasure with the decision. Less than a week later, the team decided to cut him.

Bowman joins an Oakland Raiders defense desperate for help. Oakland has allowed the tenth most rushing yards and tenth most passing yards in the NFL. The Washington Redskins are the most dangerous offense they have faced all season and even the hapless Baltimore Ravens offense was able to put up 30 on Oakland.

Bowman’s presence will free up All-Pro Khalil Mack to make more plays. With Mack and Aldon Smith on the outside, Bowman up the middle could help in all facets for this defense. It will take him time to learn the system but this was a no-brainer for the Raiders.

San Francisco has reasons for feeling comfortable letting the veteran go as well. The team selected Bowman’s replacement, Alabama’s Reuben Foster, with the 32nd pick of the 2017 NFL draft. The rangy rookie fell due to health concerns, but was a consensus top-five pick prior. The 49ers seem to believe he is their future at middle linebacker.

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Bowman had other suitors, most notably the Dallas Cowboys, but ultimately, he chose to stay close to home.