NaVorro Bowman trade rumors: 49ers shopping the veteran linebacker

This is not exactly the most shocking report in recent days. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the San Francisco 49ers are attempting to trade linebacker NaVorro Bowman. Schefter is reporting there are teams interested in doing a deal.

Back in May, Mike Lombardi tweeted that the 49ers were shopping Bowman, but the team was quick to deny it. Although the team reportedly talked it out, there has been speculation that Bowman was not overly enthused by that. Any issues he might have came further to light when the team sat him for a couple series in Week 5 against the the Indianapolis Colts. Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh have said the plan is to get him some rest so he is more effective when he plays, but Bowman was not pleased with that.

Bowman currently leads all NFL linebackers in snaps, but he seems to recognize he is losing favor to some degree. The 49ers drafted Reuben Foster, who has replaced Bowman in the dime at times. Foster missed the last four weeks with a high ankle sprain, but could return to action this weekend. When he is back on the field full-time, he will likely continue to supplant Bowman in some situations.

If the 49ers deal him by the trade deadline later this month, they would save $6,937,500 in cap space, and carry a $2,654,000 dead money hit this year. Cap space really isn’t the issue, but as part of the rebuild, they appear ready to move on from Bowman.