NaVorro Bowman played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2010-2017. He helped the 49ers get to a Super Bowl appearance under head coach Jim Harbaugh before they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. Under Harbaugh, the 49ers had elite linebackers from the start.
Jun 13, 2024; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebackers coach Navorro Bowman (second from left) talks with safety Derwin James Jr. (3), cornerback Kristian Fulton (7) and cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor (36) during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bowman was first-team all pro four times in his NFL career and made the pro bowl three times in his NFL career as well. San Francisco has had elite players on the defensive side of the football over the last 20 seasons. Who made the all 49ers defensive team on profootballfocus.com over the last 20 seasons?
NaVorro Bowman Left Off San Francisco 49ers All PFF Defensive Team Over Last 20 Seasons
Los Angeles Chargers linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman during a press conference at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nathan Jahnke of profootballfocus.com listed the top defensive players on the 49ers over the last 20 seasons. Patrick Willis and Fred Warner were the middle linebackers and Aldon Smith and Nick Bosa were the edge rushers. Bowman was left off this list and he no doubt was very good, but it felt like a surprise. Jahnke said,
“The 49ers’ defense has primarily been known for its front seven, and this team perfectly blends the franchise’s two strongest eras of the past 20 years. Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith and Justin Smith from the early 2010s join Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead from recent years to form an unstoppable front.
Several great players were left off this team because of the position group’s depth, but none more notable than NaVorro Bowman. Only eight off-ball linebackers have played more than 5,000 snaps and earned a career PFF defensive grade above 90.0, and the 49ers happened to have three of them. Because San Francisco played nearly twice as many snaps in a 3-4 defense as a 4-3 during this period, there was no good way to fit all three onto the team.”
Playing a 3-4 scheme was no doubt the 49ers strength. Bowman coached with Harbaugh on the Los Angeles Chargers for the last two seasons but has stepped down to spend more time with his family. Also, Bowman was teammates with Willis and that linebacking tandem was a wreck week in and week out to deal with.
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