Is the answer as simple as bring back Dre Greenlaw?
Last season was not good for the San Francisco 49ers linebacker core. It started in February with Dre Greenlaw’s unfortunate Super Bowl injury. It then carried over into free agency when the 49ers swung and missed twice, with Eric Kendricks spurning San Francisco for Dallas and missing out on a mystery free agent (presumably Bobby Wagner) before fouling one off by signing De’Vondre Campbell to keep Greenlaw’s spot warm until his return.
The regular season started, and Fred Warner fractured his ankle in September, hampering his play. However, he powered through to his fourth All-Pro season. It all came to a close when the 49ers finally struck out on Campbell, and he walked off the field because Greenlaw had returned to his rightful starting spot.
With Greenlaw’s contract expiring, San Francisco has a sudden need at a vital spot next to Warner. We found out just how important that spot was last season, with Campbell’s poor form playing a role in the decline of the defense in 2024. So, how do the 49ers address the need?
The answer is easy: just bring back Greenlaw. With the return of Robert Saleh, there’s not much reason not to bring back Greenlaw, a key part in the success of Saleh’s 2019 defense.
The only reason not to bring back Greenlaw would be concerns about a future injury after his Achilles injury last season. That is something that, unfortunately, will stick with Greenlaw and should be a valid concern of any suitor for the linebacker.
But let’s look at the positives of bringing back the soon-to-be seventh-year linebacker, starting with an extremely inexact science. If we were to cut the 49ers season into 34 halves instead of 17 games and pick which half of the season the defense played best, it would have to be the first half of the 49ers Week 15 loss to the Rams.
Four days removed from scoring 44 against the Bills, the Rams offense was held three first-half points in Greenlaw’s only full half of play in 2024. Greenlaw had eight first-half tackles and added a jolt of energy to a San Francisco defense in desperate need of something. Greenlaw exited that game at halftime, and the defense would allow only nine more points, but that proved too much in the 12-6 loss.
49ers fans are very familiar with Dre Greenlaw’s importance both on the field and as an emotional leader. There are plenty of moments produced by Greenlaw engrained in the mind of the Faithful, and it’s hard to picture a 49ers defense without him. Even more, it’s hard to picture a No. 54 without a No. 57 next to him.
There might be plenty of other options in case the 49ers miss out on him, but the answer at linebacker should be Greenlaw or bust.