Former San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman announced his retirement a little over a month ago in June. The Niners couldn’t sign him to a one-day deal back then, due to the need for a corresponding roster move. There’s no need to wait for that anymore. Eric Branch reported it first, but the 49ers officially signed Bowman to a free-agent contract so he can retire a 49er.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports that the 49ers were able to sign Bowman now thanks to a new rule allowing them to do so because rookies Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel remain unsigned.