SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers signed linebacker NaVorro Bowman to a four-year contract extension through the 2022 season Wednesday.
The 28-year-old Bowman missed the 2014 season after a devastating left knee injury during the NFC championship game, then returned last year and led the NFL with 154 total tackles. He also had 2 1/2 sacks and two passes defenced, earned first-team All-Pro honours and was a Pro Bowl selection.
"The support I’ve received from my family and friends throughout my life, especially through the adversity of the past few years, has meant so much to me," Bowman said in a statement released by the team. "I can’t wait for the season to start and play in front of the best fans in the NFL."
The 6-foot, 242-pound linebacker was drafted in the third round in 2010 out of Penn State.
"Over the last six years, NaVorro has become a cornerstone of our organization and securing his future in the Bay Area was a priority for us," general manager Trent Baalke said.
Bowman said his new extension with the San Francisco 49ers provides a good example for his younger teammates.
"You basically have to crawl before you can walk and understand that the guys that do make the big money in this league work hard and have to wait their time to get to that point," Bowman said. "It’s just about motivating guys. I’ve had several teammates walk up to me and say this is motivation for them. And that’s what you want. For me, asking for the deal, they understood why. I knew that it wasn’t a popular thing to do with three years left. It’s basically about being fair," he said. "It just shows how good of an organization they are and honourable to their players and the work that I’ve put in."
When Bowman returned from injury, the 49ers were not the same team that reached three straight conference championship games and played in a Super Bowl. Gone were coach Jim Harbaugh and stalwarts Patrick Willis, running back Frank Gore and defensive lineman Justin Smith.
Now, the new-look 49ers are Bowman’s team in the first year of coach Chip Kelly’s tenure.
In his second season back from the knee injury, San Francisco expects Bowman to be closer to his pre-injury form.
"NaVorro’s been great," defensive co-ordinator Jim O’Neil said. "I think he’s really started to step into that leadership role and there’s a lot of guys in the NFL who are lead-by-example guys. I think NaVorro has kind of taken that next step and he’s a ‘follow me or else’ guy, which are the kind of leaders you need to have to have a great unit in this league."
Bowman said his goal entering the NFL was to last 10 seasons and make it to the Hall of Fame. The length of his extension would run through his 14th year.
"You never want to leave any money on the table, but you definitely want to leave this game being able to walk," Bowman said. "Me for instance, being able to keep up with my kids and things like that. I haven’t thought that far yet, but just glad to be locked in and finish my career as a 49er."
