The 49ers are reuniting with linebacker Dre Greenlaw, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. Greenlaw will return to San Francisco on a one-year, $7.5MM deal.
The Broncos released Greenlaw on Tuesday, ending his stay in Denver after one season, but it did not take the 28-year-old long to land on his feet. Greenlaw, a fifth-round pick in 2019, spent the first six seasons of his career in San Francisco. The Broncos scooped up Greenlaw on a three-year, $35MM pact last March, but the move did not pan out as hoped.
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While the Broncos boasted the NFL’s third-ranked scoring defense in 2025, they only received limited contributions from the oft-injured Greenlaw. The 6-foot, 230-pounder began the season on IR with a quad injury and did not debut until Week 7. He also missed the Broncos’ last two games as a result of a hamstring issue. Greenlaw ended the year with 43 tackles, an interception, a sack and a forced fumble over eight games (seven starts). Designating him a post-June 1 release saved the Broncos $8.19MM on next season’s cap.
Greenlaw has not played a full season since his rookie campaign, which ended with a loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. Injuries have held him out of 45 regular-season games since then. He played just three games in 2021 and two in 2024. Greenlaw’s 15-game absence in ’24 came as a result of a torn Achilles he suffered while trotting onto the field for the first half of a Super Bowl LVIII rematch with the Chiefs. The rehab process prevented him from returning until mid-December. He made two appearances before the 49ers shut him down for the year.
When healthy, Greenlaw has been among the league’s top linebackers at times. During his most productive two-year stretch, 2022-23, he combined for 247 tackles across 30 games. Pro Football Focus ranked Greenlaw as the league’s seventh-best linebacker in 2022. Even in his abbreviated Broncos season, PFF rated Greenlaw’s performance an outstanding 16th among 88 qualifiers at his position.
In his return to San Francisco, Greenlaw will work under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. He will also reunite with superstar linebacker Fred Warner, who is coming off an injury-shortened year of his own. The four-time first-team All-Pro dislocated and broke his ankle in Week 6, ending his season in October. The 49ers will bank on healthier seasons from Greenlaw and Warner in 2026, but their linebacker group is deep beyond that duo. Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune and 2025 third-rounder Nick Martin are also under contract.
Yes!!!!
7.5 seems like a lot for a guy that was very disappointing for Denver last year and has really lost his explosiveness, but as a niner fan I’m so pumped!
I agree. Should have been less money and more incentive based
It’s not my money! Glad he’s back
Disappointing when he’s not lined up next to Fred. But guess what?
Just think of it as a trade with Huff retiring. Then we’re saving money!
Kute, pff had him rated 16th of the 88 linebackers. In only 8 games. He was disappointing because of injuries but his play was definitely not “very disappointing”
Skute, pff had him rated 16th of the 88 linebackers. In only 8 games. He was disappointing because of injuries but his pla was definitely not “very disappointing”
He knows the best doctor offices in the area already!
Nick Martin becomes more special teams and sub package usage. I think a year for him to watch Dre Dee and Fred work the middle will really help him help us in 27
He should never have left. I really want the job to go to Nick Martin and see him develop this upcoming year, otherwise it’s another failed 3rd round pick by Lynch, considering there were some talented players taken after him at pick 75.
Nick was injured coming into camp. Had some history. LB is so much different in this league than college. Its a one year deal and I see that as a prove it or ill give it to the other guy.
Deepest LB unit in the entire league. They go 4-5 deep. Keep them all rotated and keep them healthy.