It’s been a forgettable season for the Las Vegas Raiders, except when it comes to rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who broke two league records against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Bowers, the team’s first-round pick out of Georgia in April, entered this contest with Mike Ditka’s all-time rookie receiving yards record for tight ends in sight, and he broke it.
Ditka, the Chicago Bears legend, held the rookie tight end receiving yards record for 63 years until Bowers caught a 13-yard pass from quarterback Aidan O’Connell to move past him in the record books.
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New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and linebacker Demario Davis (56) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. (Images by Stephen Lew-Imagn)
Bowers came into the game with 1,067 receiving yards, just 10 behind Ditka’s long-standing record. Ditka, however, played in an era when there were only 14 games in a season and he needed only 56 passes to gain that many yards.
But Ditka’s record wasn’t the only one Bowers was looking at before his inaugural season ended.
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Puka Nacua, who emerged as a star with the Los Angeles Rams last season, broke the rookie receptions record in 2023 with 105 in his breakout campaign. Well, Bowers was just four catches short entering this game as well.
Bowers led the Raiders with seven receptions for 77 yards, breaking Nacua’s record in the process on what became quite an eventful day for the Raiders, who won back-to-back games.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) carries the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. (Images by Kirby Lee-Imagn)
Las Vegas defeated New Orleans, 25-10, as O’Connell threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-35 shooting through the air.
His touchdown recipients were Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker, while Ameer Abdullah rushed for 115 yards on 20 carries to lead the way on the ground.
The Raiders’ win continues to have implications in the NFL Draft, as they are now 4-12 on the season with just one week remaining.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) lines up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Images by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn)
Meanwhile, the Saints moved to 5-11 after another Spencer Rattler-led game did not result in a victory.
