The talented linebacker is a free agent at the end of this season.
The San Francisco 49ers haven’t had an ideal 2024 season, with their latest issue being the departure of veteran linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who made things difficult for the team by suiting up and refusing to play.
Campbell, the team’s top linebacker opposite Fred Warner, was always in positive to be a starter, but it was known that he would slip back more to the shadows upon Greenlaw’s return, which many accepted.
Ultimately, Campbell himself didn’f face the reality and is paying the price with a three-game suspension as a result, although there are some questions at that linebacker spot which seems open in 2025.
Greenlaw’s return impressed many, as the star linebacker picked up where he left off with some serious activity before sitting out the second half with an injury.
“I thought it was pretty amazing at first glance and so kind of just confirmed it,” Shanahan said about Greenlaw’s play. “Dre, he’s an amazing player and it’s not the first time he did that. A few years ago, I think ‘21 it was, I’m pretty sure it was ‘21, his first game that he got hurt in Week One versus Detroit and the next time he played was in Week 17 versus the Rams when we needed to win that to go to the playoffs. And that game, I thought he had one of the best games I’ve ever seen from linebacker play and it was looking a lot like that last night too. Exactly the same, it was just only a half a football, but it was amazing.”
That leads us to the discussion question of the day: Should the 49ers re-sign Greenlaw this offseason?
Initially thought to be seeking a multi-year deal on the open market after getting healthy, it seems as if the 49ers are true contenders to bring Greenlaw back, as the linebacker has minimal opportunities to show his full strength, while a one-year deal could make sense for both sides.
Greenlaw’s style clearly fits the team and it’s evident the way he conducts himself is well-respected in the locker room.
But, the money aspect will probably be the biggest selling factor, as other options could even provide a better package for a one-year deal to get Greenlaw on their team for the final weeks of the year.
If they could retain Greenlaw, that would solve a major question mark and give the 49ers a high-end duo with him and Warner up the middle, solving some of their defensive woes.
However, the answers to these questions feels like it’s dependent on other factors, so the end of the season will be an important aspect to how Greenlaw’s market materializes as he looks to secure his next deal.