Dwayne Bowe

Regarded as one of the top wide receivers available in the 2007 NFL Draft,[1] Bowe drew comparisons to Hines Ward.[2] He was selected 23rd overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. Alongside his former teammates JaMarcus Russell and Buster Davis, the trio became the first quarterback/wide receiving group to be selected in the first round of the draft.

On August 5, 2007, Bowe signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs, after holding out the first week of practice at training camp.[3]

Bowe scored on a pass from Damon Huard in the first half of the game against the Chicago Bears on September 16, 2007.

In his rookie season, Bowe led all first-year receivers in receptions (70), yards (995), and touchdowns (6). His reception and yardage totals set franchise records for Chiefs' rookie receivers. Bowe also set the team's single-game rookie receiving record with 164 yards against the San Diego Chargers on September 30, 2007.

In the season opener of the 2008 season, Bowe recorded five receptions for eighty–nine yards, but he also dropped 4 passes, including a game–winning catch in the endzone on first and goal.[4] He went on to obtain 1,022 yards receiving and ended the season 4th in the NFL with 86 receptions. In his last game of the 2008 season Bowe gained 103 yards with 10 receptions.

Playing with new quarterback Matt Cassel, Bowe finished the season with 589 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 11 games. On November 17, 2009, Bowe was suspended for 4 games for violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, after he tested positive for a diuretic.[5]

Bowe playing for the Chiefs in 2010.

Bowe got off to a slow start in Chiefs' 2010 campaign, catching only 9 passes in the team's first 4 games. In the Chiefs' fourth game against the Indianapolis Colts, Bowe dropped crucial passes including one in the endzone which would have given them the lead, as the Chiefs' suffered their first loss 9–19. On October 17, 2010, Bowe caught 6 passes for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Houston Texans in a game that the Chiefs lost 31–35. The following week was prolific for Bowe once again, as he hauled in 3 receptions for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 42–20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills he caught 3 passes for only 16 yards but again found the endzone, helping his team win against the Buffalo Bills, 13–10. In Week 9's match-up with the Oakland Raiders he caught 5 passes for 63 yards, adding another touchdown as well. The Chiefs went on to lose the game in overtime, 20–23. On November 14, 2010, almost a year after his drug suspension, Bowe set new career-highs for receptions and receiving yards in a single game versus the Denver Broncos. As the Broncos took a 35–0 lead, the Chiefs were forced to air it out. Bowe was targeted 18 times and caught 13 passes for 186 yards. He had 2 touchdowns as well. That was Bowe's fifth straight game with a touchdown reception. The Chiefs lost the game, 29–49. In Week 11, against the struggling Arizona Cardinals Bowe extended his streak to six straight games with a touchdown, this time coming up with 2. That set a team record for most games with a touchdown catch. He finished the game with 6 receptions for 109 yards and helped his team en route to a 31–13 win. The following week, in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks Bowe caught 8 passes while gaining 120 yards. Two of the receptions went for touchdowns. In the second half, he added five more receptions, including his third touchdown of the game. He extended his streak to 7 straight games with a score, thus breaking the Kansas City Chiefs franchise record of 6 straight games with a touchdown. Bowe also broke the Chiefs' franchise record for most touchdowns in a single season during the game against the Seattle Seahawks in week 12. He was invited to the 2011 Pro Bowl. He was also named a Second Team All-Pro by the Associated Press.[6]

He finished the 2011 season with 81 receptions, 1,159 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns.

On March 5, 2012, the Chiefs placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Bowe.[7] On August 17, Bowe signed a 1-year, $9.5 million tender, ending a lengthy holdout.[8] In Week 14, Bowe injured his ribs while making a block, and on December 14, the Chiefs placed Bowe on injured reserve.[9]

On March 4, 2013, Bowe signed a five-year contract.[10] Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that Bowe became the NFL's third highest-paid wide receiver in terms of total compensation on his contract. His deal was for $56 million over five years and included $26 million in guaranteed money plus a $15 million signing bonus, according to someone who had seen the deal. In year one, Bowe earned $16 million with a base salary of $750,000 and a workout bonus of $250,000. In the first three years, Bowe would have earned $36 million.

On August 15, 2014, the NFL announced Bowe would be suspended for one game. Bowe served his suspension in the Chiefs first game of the season against the Tennessee Titans on September 7, but was allowed to play in the preseason. The suspension was a result of his arrest for possession of a controlled substance on November 10, 2013.[11] On November 2, 2014, against the New York Jets, Bowe caught his 500th pass.[12]

The Chiefs released Bowe on March 12, 2015 after eight seasons with the team.[13]

Bowe at the Browns showcase of their new jerseys

On March 19, 2015, Bowe was signed to a two-year contract from the Cleveland Browns for up to $13 million and $9 million guaranteed.[14]

Although Browns general manager Ray Farmer signed Bowe during the offseason, head coach Mike Pettine chose not to use him throughout the season, saying he was not among the top four receivers on the team.[15] Bowe made his Browns debut during a Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans but was held without a catch. He did not make a reception until Week 9 at the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the game with a season-high 3 catches for 31 yards. During his first season with the Browns, Bowe appeared in only 7 contests, had 5 catches, and no starts. Throughout the season, he was deactivated for most games and the fourth or fifth receiver on the depth chart behind Travis Benjamin, Brian Hartline, Taylor Gabriel, and Andrew Hawkins. Bowe's effort and commitment to play football came into question throughout the entire season.[16]

The Browns released Bowe on March 16, 2016.[17]

Bowe officially announced his retirement on May 16, 2019 after signing a one day ceremonial contract with the Chiefs.[18]