Dre Greenlaw 49ers: San Francisco Brings Back Linebacker on One-Year Deal
The dre greenlaw 49ers reunion is official: San Francisco has signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a one-year deal, bringing him back after a season with the Denver Broncos that was hampered by injuries.
Dre Greenlaw 49ers Deal: One Year, $7. 5 Million
Greenlaw is returning to the 49ers on a one-year, $7. 5 million contract. The move was disclosed Thursday, and the team later announced it had signed Greenlaw to a one-year deal.
San Francisco also announced additional roster moves around the same time: tight end Jake Tonges was re-signed on a two-year deal, offensive lineman Vederian Lowe signed a two-year contract, and offensive lineman Brett Toth agreed to a one-year pact.
What Happened in Denver, and Why Greenlaw Is Back
Greenlaw left San Francisco for Denver on a three-year, $35 million deal after appearing in just two games in 2024. His limited 2024 availability followed a significant Achilles injury suffered in the 2023 season while running from the sideline onto the field at Allegiant Stadium. The injury cost him almost all of the next campaign.
With the Broncos, Greenlaw struggled to stay on the field due to multiple injuries. After one season, Denver cut him and opted to devote salary cap space to retaining linebackers Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton, sending Greenlaw back to free agency.
In 2025, Greenlaw appeared in eight games (seven starts) with Denver and totaled 43 tackles, two passes defensed, 1. 0 sack, one interception and one forced fumble. He also played in two postseason games and recorded 10 tackles.
Role in San Francisco and a New Defensive Staff Connection
Greenlaw originally entered the league as a fifth-round pick (148th overall) by San Francisco in the 2019 NFL Draft. He developed into a key contributor in the team’s defense, earning a starting role in 2022 and making 30 starts from 2022-2023 while producing 247 tackles, 1. 5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, one interception and two forced fumbles over that span.
He also was part of the 49ers’ run to Super Bowl LVIII during the 2023 season.
Greenlaw turns 29 in May and is expected to fill a depth role with San Francisco. The move comes after the 49ers dealt with injuries across the linebacking group last season, underscoring the value of experienced options further down the depth chart.
Greenlaw’s return also comes with a new priority in San Francisco: getting to know defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who replaced Robert Saleh after Saleh took the top job in Tennessee in January.
