Raiders tight end Brock Bowers’ seven receptions for 77 yards give him a total of 108 receptions for 1,144 yards in 16 games this season, surpassing the record for a rookie that Mike Ditka set in 1961 with 1,067 receiving yards, plus of Puka Nacua’s 2023 record of 105 receptions by a rookie at any position.
Additionally, Bowers also surpassed Darren Waller’s 2020 franchise mark of 107 receptions in a season.
“It’s pretty surprising to me,” Bowers said. “I try not to set goals for myself, like numbers and stuff. I just try to ask myself, ‘How can I help the team in the best way I can?’ And I just catch the ball when it comes to me.”
Selected by the Las Vegas Raiders 13th overall out of Georgia, Bowers surpassed Ditka’s mark when he made a 13-yard reception late in the second quarter.
“He’s super impressive. He looks like a veteran out there,” Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell said. “I played as a rookie. I know how hard it is… and then setting all-time records is crazy.
Bowers admitted he knew “little” about Ditka, who set his rookie record in what was then a 14-game regular season.
The Raiders rookie finished his college career with 2,538 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns in 40 games before declaring for the 2024 NFL draft, in which he was the first tight end to be selected.
“From day one I said he was special when he walked in the door and today he was special again,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “He doesn’t want attention… All he cares about is winning and smiling. He can break records, but just look at him after the wins. That’s the real Brock Bowers because he’s a competitor. He’s a real professional. It’s scary how good he is. It could be this boy.”
