The 49ers on Tuesday announced that former linebacker NaVorro Bowman is retiring from the NFL after eight seasons.
Bowman went unsigned as a free agent in 2018, and intended on retiring as a 49er. The team was unable to sign him to a one-day contract because their 90-man roster was full, so the ceremonial signing would’ve required the club to cut someone in a corresponding move.
San Francisco selected Bowman out of Penn State with a third-round pick (No. 91 overall) in the 2010 NFL draft.
Bowman quickly made his mark with the 49ers, earning a starting job and the first of four All Pro nods in his second season. He was a dynamic force alongside Patrick Willis in the middle of a ferocious 49ers defense that helped carry the team to three consecutive conference championship games.
Between 2011 and 2013, Bowman amassed 327 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 23 pass breakups, three interceptions, seven forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. His lone touchdown was a game-sealing pick 6 in the waning moments of the final game at Candlestick Park that put the 49ers into the playoffs for the third consecutive year. He was an All Pro all three years before a gruesome knee injury in the 2014 NFC Championship took him out for the 2014 season.
He returned as strong as ever in 2015, leading the NFL in tackles with 154 in the middle of a not-very-good front seven. The performance earned him his fourth and final All Pro nod.
Bowman was released in the middle of the 2017 season and finished his career with the Raiders. In all, the sensational inside linebacker finished with 798 tackles, 14 sacks, 30 pass breakups, five interceptions, nine forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, four All-Pro nods and three trips to the Pro Bowl.
The 49ers may not have been able to immediately accommodate his request due to roster restrictions, but there may be a one-day deal in the future that allows Bowman to officially retire in red and gold.
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