NaVorro Bowman Hoping To Be Back With Raiders Next Year

Veteran ILB NaVorro Bowman says he’s hoping to be back with the Raiders next year and doesn’t see any reason why they wouldn’t want him back.

“I still study the same way,” Bowman said, via Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area. “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.”

During the team’s bye week, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said that they could be open to re-signing Bowman.

“Yes, he could be. He’s a football player,” McKenzie said. “Needless to say, his experience, and the way he plays…I’m talking about from an instincts and savvy standpoint, anytime you come two years off an injury, it’s always going to be better than the next year, so that’s not going to be a deterrent, but he can still play.”

Bowman, 29, is a former third-round pick of the 49ers back in 2010. He was in the second year of his seven-year, $77 million contract that includes $20 million guaranteed and was set to make a base salary of $6.75 million for the 2017 season when the 49ers released him.

The Raiders later signed Bowman to a one-year, $3 million contract. He’s in line to be an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

In 2017, Bowman has appeared in 10 games for the Raiders and 49ers and has recorded 81 tackles, one interception and two pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 62 linebacker out of 86 qualifying players.