The 49ers didn’t go wild in free agency this offseason, but one addition stands out because he already knows the place, the system and the standard: Dre Greenlaw.
Greenlaw is back in San Francisco on a one-year deal, and the veteran linebacker arrives with plenty of familiarity after spending the first six seasons of his career with the 49ers. In that stretch, he piled up 455 tackles, including 18 for loss, along with 14 passes defensed, nine quarterback hits, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries across 64 games.
His path away from the Bay was short and bumpy. Greenlaw left for Denver last offseason on a three-year, $35 million contract, but injuries and a suspension limited him to just eight games in 2025. Even in that abbreviated season, he still managed 43 tackles, two passes defensed, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception.
Now back where he made his name, Greenlaw was recently singled out by CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards as a veteran who could be in line for a resurgence in 2026.
That optimism makes sense when you look at what San Francisco dealt with last year. Linebacker depth was a real issue, with Fred Warner, Tatum Bethune, Curtis Robinson and Nick Martin all missing time because of injuries. The 49ers were forced to lean on Dee Winters, Luke Gifford, Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow late in the season.
Greenlaw’s return should give the unit a much steadier feel, especially with his history playing alongside Warner in this defense. It also comes with Raheem Morris stepping in as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, giving the 49ers another fresh layer to work with as they try to stabilize the middle of the defense.
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There is still plenty of caution attached to the idea, though, because any move here would be based as much on projection as on certainty. Clowney has been productive, but there are real questions about whether he can keep that level going for another full season, which is why the 49ers are weighing the possibility carefully rather than treating it like a sure thing. [Read more 🡒]