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The 49ers’ Dre Greenlaw was carted off from the Super Bowl with an Achilles tendon injury.
Linebacker may not be at the top of the list of needs for the San Francisco 49ers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t address it with an intriguing move. In this case, it would be an intriguing move because the Niners would be able to fill a need on a potentially cheaper deal with a familiar face.
This said wise move could involve the team bringing back veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who was recently released by the Denver Broncos after one season in the Mile High City.
A Return to the San Francisco 49ers Makes Sense for Dre Greenlaw
GettyDre Greenlaw helped the 49ers make two Super Bowl appearances within the first six seasons of his career.
After finishing up his first tenure with the 49ers in 2024, Greenlaw signed a three-year deal worth $35 million with the Broncos. However, he played in just eight games due to injury. In fact, across the last two seasons, he has played in a total of 10 games and recorded 52 combined tackles. His 2024 torn Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII has something to do with that, as well.
Now on the verge of turning 29 years of age and looking for a new team after being released just one year into a major deal, where will the former Arkansas star end up? Why not back in Santa Clara?
With the 49ers potentially losing 34-year-old linebacker Eric Kendricks to free agency, San Francisco may want to consider bringing back Greenlaw. He is younger and won’t command all the money in the world. Remember, he was also a cornerstone piece of the defense for the first six years of his career. The former fifth-round pick recorded over 450 tackles between 2019 and 2024.
The 49ers’ Defense Could Use More Stability
Getty49ers linebacker Fred Warner missed the rest of the 2025 season with an ankle injury.
There is no doubt that San Francisco has some talent on defense. Look no further than All-Pro middle linebacker Fred Warner and All-Pro edge-rusher Nick Bosa. At their positions, when healthy, they are two of the best.
However, due to both of their season-ending injuries, the Niners’ defense did come close to falling apart. Finishing the season with a final ranking of 20th in total defense, it is clear that this group wasn’t the same group that the league has come accustomed to knowing in years past. While the Super Bowl window is still open, as evidenced by the team’s signing of future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans, it is clear that depth at any position could always be a nice asset.
While bringing back Greenlaw would not grab major headlines like the Evans signing did, it would help bring some more stability to a 49ers defense that could use exactly that. He knows the coaching staff well. Plus, in arguably the toughest division in football, having a steady linebacker might be hard to come by. While the injury history for Greenlaw could be seen as a concern, a one-year deal might be worth it if you are 49ers GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Tim Lindsey A Chicago-area native, Tim Lindsey has covered the world of sports through a variety of different lenses. More specifically, he has been an NFL writer for sites such as Sports Illustrated and PFSN. Notable teams like the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major point of emphasis for the longtime writer in the past. More about Tim Lindsey
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