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Bowman

The match makes sense. Linebacker has been a weak point in Oakland’s defense so far this season, and signing with the Raiders would allow Bowman to remain in the Bay Area, at least for now. Rapoport reports the two sides are expected to meet “in the coming days.” New England is another destination which makes sense on paper, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the 49ers had a deal in place with the Saints before deciding to release Bowman.

They’re Bowman’s first-known visits since he was cut loose on Friday. He’s expected to find a new team in short order, perhaps by Monday afternoon.

29-year-old Bowman has been greeted by a quiet market but was effective for the Raiders after coming over from San Francisco last season. Bowman has yet to take a formal visit or be linked to any teams.

"[The door is] never closed with quality players,” McKenzie added. 29-year-old Bowman remains a free agent despite being effective for the Raiders after coming over from San Francisco last season. He has not been linked to any teams outside of Oakland.

Bowman just signed on Monday, but the Raiders will take any help they can get at linebacker. “He’s a veteran. He understands ball,” Del Rio said. “Even though it’s a short week, we feel good he’ll play.” A liability in coverage at this point in his career, Bowman may not be the impact signing his resume would suggest, but he is still an upgrade.

With starting LBs Cory James and Marquel Lee inactive, Bowman could see heavy snaps right off the bat. Also inactive for the Raiders are DE Jihad Ward, OT Jylan Ware, QB Connor Cook, CB Gareon Conley and RT Marshall Newhouse.

Bowman joined the Raiders in Week 7 following his release from the 49ers and started the final 10 games. He received real strong marks from Pro Football Focus for his run defense. Bowman turns 30 this offseason and likely won’t have a ton of offers at his age. We’d bet he’d welcome a return to Oakland.

He never even made it to Dallas. Still a useful run defender, Bowman will add toughness to a weak Oakland inside linebacker corps. He is a liability in pass coverage, however, and had been losing passing-down snaps before the 49ers released him. The Raiders play on Thursday Night Football this week, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Bowman log significant snaps right away.

Out of the league entirely in ’18, Bowman initially announced his retirement in June. His free-agent contract with San Francisco simply allows the eight-year vet to retire as a 49er, the very team that made him the No. 91 overall pick in the 2010 draft. Bowman began his career as a complete dynamo, earning first-team All-Pro honors from 2011-13. His superstar trajectory was interrupted in brutal fashion when he suffered a devastating knee injury in the 2014 NFC Championship Game. Bowman bounced back for more All-Pro honors in 2015, but it was based more on reputation than his actual play. Bowman then began a quick and precipitous decline. Bowman didn’t play long enough to garner Hall-of-Fame consideration, but he was one of the best players on the NFL field the first half of this decade.

Bowman retires as a member of the team that made him the No. 91 overall pick of the 2010 draft. Bowman began his career as a complete dynamo, earning first-team All-Pro honors from 2011-13. His superstar trajectory was interrupted in brutal fashion when he suffered a devastating knee injury in the 2014 NFC Championship Game. Bowman bounced back for more All-Pro honors in 2015, but it was based more on reputation than his actual play. Bowman then began a quick and precipitous decline. Bowman didn’t play long enough to garner Hall-of-Fame consideration, but he was one of the best players on the NFL field the first half of this decade.