The Las Vegas Raiders are wrapping up a season that certainly didn’t go as planned in Antonio Pierce’s first year as head coach. However, there are building blocks in place for the future, and one of those key pieces is rookie tight end Brock Bowers.
Bowers was phenomenal during his collegiate career at Georgia and has seamlessly transitioned to the NFL, even amidst significant quarterback turnover throughout the season.
The Raiders have been in a quarterback carousel, starting Gardner Minshew, then Aidan O'Connell, and even giving Desmond Ridder a start. Yet, Bowers has remained consistent. In the final week of the season, on Sunday evening, he made NFL history for the second straight week.
In Week 17, Bowers set the rookie receiving yards record for a tight end, surpassing the legendary Mike Ditka. Then, against the Los Angeles Chargers, he broke the all-time receptions record for a rookie, surpassing New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers.
That reception marked Bowers’ 110th of the season, and not only does he lead all rookies, but he’s also right up there with star wide receivers like Justin Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Ja'Marr Chase.
Entering Sunday, Bowers had accumulated 108 receptions, 1,144 receiving yards, and four touchdowns, averaging 10.6 yards per catch on the season.
The Raiders will likely be in the market for a quarterback, as it remains their biggest need heading into the offseason. Pairing a strong quarterback with Bowers will be crucial for the future, as they look to build a formidable offense in Las Vegas. The Raiders have already landed one of the youngest stars in the game with Bowers, and they’ll aim to replicate that success in the upcoming 2025 draft in April.
