San Francisco 49ers release linebacker NaVorro Bowman

The San Francisco 49ers cut ties with one of the few remaining links to their last run of NFL success with the release of linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

General manager John Lynch said the team looked into possible trade partners and came close to completing one. But when that fell through, the team granted Bowman's request and released him to give him the opportunity to pick his new team.

"It became evident that going in different directions was best for both him and our team," Lynch said. "Although NaVorro may be moving on, he will always be looked at as one of the great players to wear the red and gold. We wish him and his family great success."

Bowman originally joined the 49ers as a third-round pick in 2010 and quickly formed one of the league's best linebacking duos with Patrick Willis.

The two were key to San Francisco's run of three straight trips to the NFC title game and one Super Bowl appearance. The only players remaining in San Francisco who played in that Super Bowl following the 2012 season are now left tackle Joe Staley, center Daniel Kilgore and tight end Garrett Celek.

Bowman earned first-team All-Pro honours four times in his career, achieving it from 2011-13 and then again in 2015 after coming back from a devastating knee injury. Bowman then tore his Achilles tendon early last season and missed most of the year before coming back again this year.

The Niners have been far from contenders in recent years, going 5-11 in 2015 and then matching the worst record in franchise history last year at 2-14. San Francisco have lost their first five games this year under first-year coach Kyle Shanahan.

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