The strongest leader in the San Francisco 49ers’ locker room has given his public approval of brand new head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The foundation is set welcome to the family Coach Shanahan can't wait to get started. #Questforsix
— Navorro Bowman (@NBowman53) February 7, 2017
The minute Bowman tore his Achilles in Week 4 of last season, the 49ers’ defense fell apart at the seams. The team finished 32nd in total defense and gave up a franchise record in rushing yards allowed.
Bowman, 28, signed a four-year, $77 million contract extension prior to the 2016 season beginning. He’s locked in for the long haul with the 49ers and the team desperately needed his leadership last season in the midst of a 13-game losing streak.
“It’s been tough because I started off with these guys,” Bowman said in the locker room after Week 17. “For me to go down and for things to continue to go down and not pick up, it’s been tough for me to watch. Part of that is I put that on me, because guys look at me as a person to handle certain things and get us on the right pace out there. Hopefully we’re gonna get out of this slump and get back to 49er football.”
A month ago, Bowman reportedly had started running underwater on a treadmill as part of his rehab for his Achilles. He is expected to be back as a limited participant in OTAs come April.
It’s unclear who Bowman’s new defensive coordinator will be, but it’ll end up being the 49ers’ fourth is four seasons — Vic Fangio, Eric Mangini, Jim O’Neil and now reportedly either New England’s Brian Flores, Los Angeles’ Robert Saleh or Atlanta’s Jerome Henderson.