Through nearly the first two weeks of the NFL free agency period, the Oakland Raiders have been one of the busier teams in the league. The front office has spent much of that focus on restructuring their defensive unit ahead of the 2018 season.
Oakland has also worked toward bringing back a few familiar faces to keep some foundation to work around. According to Michael Gehlken of The Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders have begun to spark up the conversation about bringing back former Pro Bowl linebacker NaVorro Bowman on a new deal.
Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie on free agent LB NaVorro Bowman: “I’ll say this: We’d still love to have him back.” Bowman remains a free agent. “That doesn’t mean we don’t want him because we do.” Talks ongoing.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 26, 2018
Bowman is coming off his first season with the Raiders after he was acquired midseason by the team after he was let go from the San Francisco 49ers following 6 1/2 seasons. In 10 games played, he had notched 89 total tackles with 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, an interception, and two pass deflection.
The 29-year-old had proven that he is still a highly productive player that he was prior to his torn Achilles tendon that forced him to miss all but four games in the 2016 NFL season. Bowman had immediately stepped in as the anchor of the linebacker core and one of the leaders of the team on that side of the ball. He has also already voiced significant interest in returning to the Raiders, according to Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area.
“I still study the same way,” Bowman said. “I still feel like I can play this game at a high level. I feel like I can average 10 tackles a game. I don’t see why they wouldn’t sign me back. I’d love to stay. I like the area. I like the team and the organization. Hopefully we can make it happen.”
The potential return would maintain some stability with a proven veteran player that has plenty of experience over his career that includes several trips to the postseason. The Dallas Cowboys had also entered the picture as a potential landing spot for him over the last few days. All of this could quickly see the Raiders re-sign a new deal to bring him back in the fold.
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