If Dre Greenlaw is getting offers below market value, he could return to the Niners.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw enters free agency as a fascinating case study. The linebacker’s reputation as one of the best in the league lives on, but are the concerns about Greenlaw’s health and recovery too much to overlook for the NFL and the 49ers? Playing only 34 snaps in 2024, questions persist regarding Greenlaw’s potential injury future.
Facing the Rams and playing 30 snaps in a Thursday Night Football loss, Greenlaw’s impact was eye-opening and apparent. Returning with a vengeance from his Achilles injury in the Super Bowl, the 49ers’ defense had energy unlike any game in 2024. The 49ers defense allowed 12 points and no touchdowns, and much of the credit goes to Greenlaw and his running mate Fred Warner, who coincidentally had his best game of the season.
Will Greenlaw accept a one-year contract and prove it deal before returning to free agency, or will teams bank on what they saw from Greenlaw in a limited time and look to lock down the linebacker?
Greenlaw will probably have to take a one-year prove-it deal after an Achilles injury suffered in Super Bowl LVIII last February wiped out most of his 2024 season — and then when he did return, in Week 15, he made two starts before suffering a calf injury that landed him on injured reserve. A short-term agreement is probably smart for all parties, allowing Greenlaw to hit the market again next year while keeping his team safe in case he can’t bounce back. But I’m betting he does; I’m betting on the difference-maker Greenlaw previously proved to be on the gridiron. In one half of football in 2024, he showed how much better the 49ers defense was when he was active. He’s still 27 years old, and I’d be willing to roll the dice on a return to form in 2025.
Patra agrees Greenlaw’s performance against the Rams wasn’t a mirage and believes teams should bank on Greenlaw returning to form in 2025. While there has been speculation that Greenlaw will return to the 49ers to raise his stock before returning to the market in the offseason, there is genuine concern that teams will gamble on Greenlaw and extend a long-term offer.
Robert Saleh reportedly wants Greenlaw to return, but it may be out of the 49ers’ hands, given offers from other teams in the open market.
What do you think? Is Greenlaw being underpriced? Do you believe Greenlaw returns in 2025? Let us know in the comments!