Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers was supposed to be a solid option for Raiders quarterback Geno Smith on Monday night, but Bowers has been pretty silent. He only caught one pass for five yards in the first half as the Chargers took a 17-6 halftime lead, but things picked up in the second half.
Bowers is in his second year after being the Raiders’ first-round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A lot has been expected of him and first-year head coach Pete Carroll has been trying to get the Raiders offense cooking.
What’s Wrong With Brock Bowers?
As the game has continued, Bowers was nowhere to be seen in the Las Vegas offense. That changed, though, in the third quarter. Smith hit Bowers with two passes with the Chargers leading 20-9 in the fourth quarter.
It’s striking because Bowers has proven to be a solid tight end in the NFL. Bowers received some pre-game love from former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Rob Gronkowski on #Raiders TE Brock Bowers:
“Brock Bowers is a superior talent… The way that he produced with three different quarterbacks. I mean, he’s a talent. He’s an unbelievable talent.”#RaiderNation | #LACvsLV pic.twitter.com/DBRb3Mqy5U
— Dominic Lavoie (@dominicjlavoie) September 15, 2025
Smith just has not been able to connect with Bowers against the Chargers’ defense. Bowers probably was a main target of discussion for Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh heading into the late “Monday Night Football” game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
In last Sunday’s 20-13 win over the New England Patriots, Bowers had five catches for 103 yards and no touchdowns. He was targeted eight times throughout the game, which included a 38-yard reception. Bowers was targeted for a pass early in the fourth quarter, but it fell incomplete.
But Bowers had to leave the game with a knee injury in the Patriots game and his status going into Monday night’s game was up in the air. Obviously, Bowers was OK and took the field against the Chargers.
Last season, Bowers had 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly knows that Bowers is a weapon to be used. Still, he only has those three total catches on Monday night.
In three seasons playing for the Geogia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart, Bowers had 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. He proved to be a valuable asset for the Bulldogs in Southeastern Conference play, too.
There’s no word from the Raiders about any injury situation involving Bowers. Entering the fourth quarter, Smith still needs to find a way to work him into the offense better.
