49ers Aimed to Retain Greenlaw Amid Offseason Departures
SANTA CLARA — Despite bracing for notable roster changes this offseason, the San Francisco 49ers had hoped to keep linebacker Dre Greenlaw, a key defensive component since 2019.
Greenlaw’s Impact and the 49ers’ Retention Efforts
Greenlaw’s blend of on-field production and passion made him a priority for the 49ers. Despite being injured in 2024, the team was willing to invest considerably to keep him in San Francisco among othre key free agents like charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga and Aaron Banks.
Broncos Sign Linebacker Dre Greenlaw After 49ers’ Last-Ditch Effort
DENVER, Colorado – Linebacker Dre Greenlaw has agreed to a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos,marking the end of his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers. Despite a strong effort by the 49ers’ leadership, including a personal visit, Greenlaw chose to pursue a new prospect in Denver.
49ers’ Unprecedented Attempt to Retain Greenlaw
in an unusual move, 49ers General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan flew to Texas in a final attempt to persuade Greenlaw to stay in San Francisco. This effort came after the 49ers were unable to secure a deal with Greenlaw before the negotiation window opened and other teams began expressing interest.
Respect and Affection Couldn’t Keep Greenlaw in San Francisco
“We weren’t done with Dre, but we had to continue with the process, and other teams were aggressive in pursuing him,” Lynch explained. “We just wanted to have a conversation with our guy, for whom we have a lot of respect and affection, and we had a good chat with him. He made a decision. We respect that decision.”
Greenlaw Seeks New Defensive Focus in Denver
While Greenlaw maintained his fondness for the 49ers and his partnership with teammate Fred Warner, he was also drawn to the opportunity to take on a more prominent defensive role with the Broncos. despite injuries that sidelined him for a significant number of games in his first six seasons, Greenlaw garnered considerable interest from multiple teams.
The 49ers, simultaneously occurring, had hoped to manage his contract within a broader plan to reduce spending and address salary cap considerations relating to their quarterback’s future contract.
Dre Greenlaw Re-Signs with 49ers Amidst Strong Market Interest
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Linebacker Dre Greenlaw has re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers, navigating a competitive free agency market that saw significant interest from multiple teams. Despite concerns about his injury history possibly impacting his value, Greenlaw’s market remained robust, ultimately leading to his return to the Niners.
Unexpectedly High Demand for Greenlaw
The 49ers anticipated other teams would pursue Greenlaw, however, thay believed his injury record would moderate his market value. While some anticipated his injury history might depress his market, other less-accomplished linebackers secured larger contracts. Zack Baun rejoined the Philadelphia Eagles for $17 million,and the new York Jets retained Jamien Sherwood for $12 million. Ultimately, Greenlaw’s asking price exceeded the 49ers’ initial pre-free agency offers, indicating strong valuation from other teams.
Sean Payton Confirms Broncos’ Interest
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton acknowledged his team’s interest in Greenlaw. ”We thought he was going to be highly sought after,” Payton stated. He added that Greenlaw reaching free agency might have been influenced by injuries. “Otherwise, he never gets to the free agent market [and] is someone who has re-made himself. …I wasn’t realy surprised that there were other teams that had high interest.”
Greenlaw’s Importance to the 49ers’ Defense
Greenlaw’s decision to stay with the 49ers reinforces his critical role in their defensive scheme.alongside players like Brock Purdy, Greenlaw is a key piece for San Francisco.
49ers Face Challenge Replacing Linebacker After Free Agency Loss
the San Francisco 49ers face a significant challenge in replacing linebacker Dre greenlaw after failing to re-sign him during free agency. Greenlaw’s departure leaves a void in the team’s defense, making the linebacker position a top priority in the upcoming NFL draft.
Greenlaw’s Departure a Costly Loss for San Francisco
The 49ers’ inability to retain Greenlaw stemmed from a disconnect between their offer and the market value, with the team ultimately unable to match the offers he received. Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the team’s efforts to re-sign Greenlaw but admitted they were unsuccessful amidst juggling multiple player negotiations.
Linebacker Position Now Top Priority in NFL Draft
Even if the 49ers had managed to retain Greenlaw, linebacker would have been a position of need. Now, his departure elevates it to one of the top three positions the team must address with their 11 draft picks. greenlaw’s impact on the 49ers’ success is undeniable, as evidenced by their 44-20 record in games he played, compared to a 16-20 record when he was absent.
Dee Winters to Get First Opportunity
With Greenlaw gone, third-year linebacker Dee Winters will have the first opportunity to step into the starting role. In 15 games last season, Winters recorded 39 tackles and four pass deflections, showcasing his potential. While Winters’ speed and skill have intrigued the 49ers since they drafted him in the sixth round in 2023, he has battled injuries, including an ankle issue and a concussion.
49ers Eye Linebacker Competition, Emphasize Physicality for Winters
The san Francisco 49ers are focusing on bolstering their linebacker corps, emphasizing physicality and competition as key elements for the upcoming season.Second-year player Dee Winters is being eyed as a potential starter alongside Fred Warner, but coaches are stressing the importance of adding muscle to endure the rigors of a full NFL season.
Winters’ Potential and Physical Development
According to coaching staff, Winters displayed promising glimpses of starting potential in 2024.His aggressive playing style is a good fit for the 49ers’ defensive scheme. The focus now is on Winters’ physical development,specifically increasing his muscle mass to withstand the demands of a 17-game season. Coaches believe that improving his strength and conditioning will allow him to maintain his hard-hitting style throughout the year.
Shanahan’s Perspective on Winters
“He plays our style,” a coach stated. “He loves to run and hit. I think he proved that last year. And now I think he’s just working on his body to improve and be able to stay healthy and play like he does for a 17-game season.But he’s shown that potential,and we’re bringing in some competition here in the draft.”
Linebacker Depth and Draft Prospects
Beyond Winters, the 49ers have also invested in other linebackers. Returning players include second-year linebacker Tatum Bethune and third-year player Jalen Graham. Veteran Curtis Robinson was re-signed, and Luke Gifford was added through free agency, further strengthening the team’s depth at the position.
While the upcoming NFL draft isn’t considered deep at the linebacker position, the 49ers have shown interest in several prospects. Jihaad Campbell from Alabama is highly rated,and Jalon Walker from Georgia could potentially play behind the line in base defense,with the ability to rush the passer on passing downs. carson Schwesinger from UCLA is another player the 49ers may consider.
49ers Eye Linebacker Options in NFL Draft After Greenlaw’s Departure
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – With Dre Greenlaw’s departure leaving a void in their linebacker corps, the San Francisco 49ers are actively exploring options in the upcoming NFL draft.General Manager John Lynch acknowledged the difficulty of directly replacing Greenlaw,emphasizing the need to evaluate all positions during the draft process.
Draft Prospects Emerge as Potential 49ers targets
Several linebacker prospects are generating buzz as potential fits for the 49ers. Sources indicate that Edgerrin cooper from Texas A&M and Payton wilson from north Carolina State are among the top contenders who could be selected in the earlier rounds. Additionally, players like Junior Colson from Michigan may be available later in the draft. Jeffrey Bassa of Oregon, Demetrius Knight Jr. from South Carolina, and Chris Paul Jr. from Mississippi are also expected to be available after the first round, offering further depth at the position.
replacing Greenlaw: A Multifaceted Challenge
The 49ers recognize the challenge of replacing a player of Greenlaw’s caliber and understand that no single draftee will instantly replicate his impact. The team attempted to re-sign Greenlaw before free agency, flying to Texas to negotiate, but ultimately failed to reach an agreement. “We’ll see if [not signing Greenlaw before free agency] was a good decision or not,” Lynch stated, highlighting the team’s draft strategy involves assessing needs across all positions, with linebacker presenting a significant opportunity.
What draft prospects are the 49ers considering too fill the linebacker void?
49ers’ Linebacker Dilemma: A Q&A
The San Francisco 49ers faced a tough offseason,particularly at the linebacker position. After failing to retain key player Dre Greenlaw, the team is now focused on finding a solution through the NFL draft and developing existing talent. Let’s break down the situation:
Q&A
-
Q: Why did the 49ers lose Dre Greenlaw?
A: Greenlaw signed a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos. He chose to pursue a new chance after the 49ers were unable to match the offers he received.
-
Q: How vital was Dre Greenlaw to the 49ers?
A: Very critically important! The 49ers had a 44-20 record in games Greenlaw played, compared to a 16-20 record when he was absent. He was key to their defensive scheme, showing both passion and production.
-
Q: What efforts did the 49ers make to keep Greenlaw?
A: In an unusual move, General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan flew to Texas for a final attempt to persuade Greenlaw to stay, but it was unsuccessful.
-
Q: Who is expected to replace dre Greenlaw?
A: Dee Winters is the leading candidate to step into a starting role. The team is emphasizing his physical development and competition within the linebacker corps.
-
Q: What are the 49ers doing to address the linebacker position now?
A: They’re focusing on the upcoming NFL draft. They are looking at prospects such as Edgerrin Cooper, Payton Wilson, Junior Colson, Jeffrey Bassa, Demetrius Knight Jr.,and Chris Paul Jr.
-
Q: what are the 49ers emphasizing in their linebacker strategy?
A: Physicality and competition. They’re working on developing players like Dee Winters to withstand the demands of a full season and adding depth to the position.
-
Q: What’s the biggest challenge for the 49ers now?
A: Finding a long-term solution for the linebacker position. They recognize that replacing Greenlaw will be a multifaceted challenge.
The 49ers face a meaningful task in rebuilding their linebacker group. Stay tuned to see how they address this need in the upcoming season!
