How Chargers Coach NaVorro Bowman Can Rebuild the LB Room

LOS ANGELES – NaVorro Bowman couldn’t wait.

After the Chargers selected Michigan linebacker Junior Colson in the third round of last month’s draft, Bowman left the draft room and stood behind a member of the team’s communications staff with a wide smile while Colson was speaking to the media on a video call.

“I stood on a table from day one for you, man,” said Bowman, the Chargers linebackers coach. “I’m glad you’re here. We can hit the ground running, man.”

For Bowman, who was an All-Pro linebacker in San Francisco under Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh a decade ago, it was a rare NFL first. It was his first time in the draft as a coach – he began his coaching career at Maryland as a defensive assistant in 2023 – and he was fascinated by the way scouts discussed players and how they analyzed other factors beyond playing style. (Bowman jokingly admitted that the process made him wonder even more why he wasn’t drafted until the third round).

In his first draft, the Chargers got the player that Bowman was most excited about. Colson joins a group that includes Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Nick Niemann and Troy Dye. This is a position that has been disappointing in recent years, with some disappointing picks and signings. The Chargers are leveraging Bowman’s experience to make the position a team strength.

“I think it benefits the players to have me here and be able to give them a chance either way,” Bowman said. “The simple fact of being able to (say), ‘OK, you don’t understand it that way. Let me explain how you and your teammate will talk about this. And I think that was a lot of relief for the guys in our room. I love our gym, it’s a great gym, there’s a lot of competition and I’m looking forward to what’s next.”

The Chargers have always had dominant outside linebackers in Joey Bosa, Shawne Merriman and Khalil Mack; but their inside linebacker play has been inconsistent in recent years.

Los Angeles attempted to solve this problem: in 2020, it traded its second and third round picks to select ILB Kenneth Murray Jr. with the No. 23 overall pick. But Murray fell short, as he struggled in missed tackles and pass coverage, never becoming the star the Chargers hoped he would be. They declined Murray’s fifth-year option and he signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. The Chargers signed former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks to a $13.25 million contract last offseason, but released him after this season to save cap space.

Outside of Perryman, none of the Chargers’ current inside linebackers have been consistent starters. Niemann started three games last season while Murray and Kendricks were injured. Dye has the second most experience in four years, but has primarily been a special teams player. Bowman expects Henley, a third-round pick in last year’s draft who contributed primarily on special teams, to play a bigger role this year.

“He was here, so you have the first chance to own this position; but don’t give up, man,” Bowman said. “It’s early right now, but at group one and group two level, anyone can go out and play now.”

Bowman’s experience – four first-team All-Pro honors – made him a respected voice in the Chargers’ front office before his coaching tenure began. But the way he builds relationships through his experience makes learning about him seamless, Perryman said.

“He’s a players’ coach,” he said. “They understand the game and that makes it a lot easier for us to go play.”

As for Perryman, he and the Chargers hope he can speed up the inexperienced group’s learning process and return to the form that earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2021.

That year, as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders, Perryman made a career-high 154 tackles. Perryman hasn’t played at that level since, but he was effective as a stopper. He finished last season with the Houston Texans with 76 tackles, his lowest level since 2020.

“I’ve been watching Denzel for a long time. He plays the right way. When I knew he was out there, I wanted to get him,” Bowman said. “…I just know how he’s going to come to work, come in and set an example for guys like Daiyan. (Henley)like Junior (Colson). He’s a 10-year veteran and he does things that a lot of 10-year guys I played with wouldn’t do. He approaches things the right way and we’re happy to have him.”