Matt Bowen is an NFL writer and analyst for ESPN. Providing a former player’s perspective on the inner workings of the National Football League, he writes NFL analysis and fantasy football pieces for ESPN+ and appears on NFL Matchup each week during the football season.

Bowen joined ESPN as a writer in 2015 and debuted on NFL Matchup in 2018. He played defensive back for seven NFL seasons (2000-06) with four teams – the St. Louis Rams (2000-01), Green Bay Packers (2001-02), Washington Football Team (2003-05) and Buffalo Bills (2006).

A sixth round pick by the Rams in the 2000 NFL Draft, Bowen earned the Carroll Rosenbloom Award as the team’s Rookie of the Year. His best season as a pro was 2003 when he started all 16 games for Washington with 94 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Bowen’s writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including The Washington Times, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Pro Football Weekly, Washington Examiner, Chicago Sun-Times, National Football Post, Chicago Tribune and ESPN Insider.

A native of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Bowen graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism. He also earned a master’s degree in writing and publishing from DePaul University.

Bowen, who still lives in the Chicago area, is a defensive backs coach at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, Illinois.