49ers bringing back familiar face ranked as a top under-the-radar deal
This reunion is also an inexpensive move to fill a position of need for the San Francisco 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers made some big splashes this offseason with free agency deals and trades, but one move might not be getting the love it deserves. FOX Sports' Eric Williams ranked his top-10 "under-the-radar" deals from free agency, and named the 49ers' reunion with linebacker Dre Greenlaw as the second-best move of the group, behind Tua Tagovailoa signing with the Atlanta Falcons. San Francisco never wanted to let him get away to begin with, but after one year with the Denver Broncos, the tone-setting linebacker returns to the 49ers on a reasonable one-year deal.
Paired with perennial All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, Greenlaw and the BYU product formed one of the best linebacker combos in the league. With his return, along with Warner’s recovery from a season-ending leg fracture, the two should help repair a San Francisco defense that surprisingly struggled to stop the run last season. Greenlaw’s return also should help with the transition from Robert Saleh to Raheem Morris at defensive coordinator, as the 49ers gear up to take full advantage of a closing Super Bowl window.
Greenlaw played his best football with the 49ers, tallying 455 combined tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 3. 5 sacks, three interceptions and 14 defended passes in six seasons with the team. He didn't enjoy a good season with the Broncos, though.
Greenlaw finished with just 43 combined tackles, one sack, one interception, two defended passes and one forced fumble after missing time due to injury. Now that he's back, Greenlaw could return to his previous form even with a new defensive coordinator. The 49ers are certainly hoping for that resurgence after missing him in 2025.