There’s a reunion coming to the middle of the 49ers defense.
San Francisco on Thursday agreed to terms with former Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw, a league source confirmed to The Sacramento Bee, bringing him back to the team he spent his first six seasons with.
Greenlaw, who turns 29 in May, signed with the Broncos last offseason on a three-year, $31.5 million contract, but was released this week with a post-June 1 designation after appearing in just eight games. His release saves Denver over $8 million in cap space.
The 49ers tried to bring Greenlaw back after his 2024 season was mostly lost due to the torn Achilles suffered in Super Bowl LVIII. The team tried to retain him last spring, but the Broncos came in with the bigger offer, and he joined former 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga in free agency.
Ultimately, things didn’t work out, and Denver parted with Greenlaw after he missed time with quadriceps and hamstring injuries, and getting suspended for a game for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an official.
The deal with San Francisco is for one season and $7.5 million, according to NFL Media, which indicates he’ll be back in the mix to start at weak side linebacker alongside his former running mate Fred Warner, should Greenlaw remain healthy.
Greenlaw’s departure last offseason led to Dee Winters’ ascension to the starting lineup where he started all 17 regular season games before missing the wild card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles with an ankle injury.
The loser of the battle to start at “Will” would likely move to play the strong side “Sam” role in new coordinator Raheem Morris’ defense. The 49ers struggled at that position last season with Luke Gifford, who was more known as a special teams player.
Greenlaw is known for his fiery play between the lines, but he also brings significant durability concerns. He’s missed 24 games over the past two seasons, and 42 games dating back to 2021, a season in which he appeared in just three games due to a groin injury.
The 49ers initially drafted Greenlaw in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Arkansas. He started 11 games in each of his first two seasons.
NFL Media was first to report of Greenlaw’s signing.