Bowman Wants Back

Free agent linebacker’s future still uncertain

Even before the move was made official, NaVorro Bowman made it clear he was very much in favor of Jon Gruden returning to coach the Raiders.

A few days before the season-ending loss to the Chargers, Bowman stood in front of his locker talking to reporters and gushed about the possibility of playing for the man who was a cultural icon in Oakland nearly 20 years ago.

“It’s exciting,” Bowman said. “You know what he’s done in the past. You know that he understands the game of football, both sides. He’s studied the quarterback position inside and out. He’s a guy that is a well-known critic in this game and coach as well. I look forward to seeing what happens.”

Bowman is scheduled to be a free agent and there’s no guarantee that the Raiders new coaching staff will bring him back. He turns 30 next year and is not that far removed from a pair of knee surgeries.

Still, given what he did in his short time in Oakland it would be foolish for Gruden and his staff not to want to bring Bowman back.