The San Francisco 49ers signed De'Vondre Campbell this offseason with the clear intention of having him serve as insurance in case Dre Greenlaw is not ready for Week 1 of the 2024 season.
Campbell, a 2021 All-Pro for the Green Bay Packers, joined the 49ers on a one-year deal after Eric Kendricks went back on his agreement to sign with San Francisco. Kendricks instead signed with the Dallas Cowboys.
Yet the 49ers have been very happy with Campbell to this point and his comments about falling back in love with football since linking up with San Francisco suggested he is thriving in his new environment.
Campbell isn't simply focusing on being ready to fill in for Greenlaw at WILL linebacker. He is also helping Greenlaw through his recovery from the torn Achilles he suffered in the 49ers' Super Bowl 58, preventing one of the tone-setters on the San Francisco defense from getting too agitated as he goes through the process.
"We all know that Fred's [Warner] resume speaks for itself," Campbell told 49ers Webzone when asked about San Francisco's linebacker group.
"I personally feel like Dre Greenlaw doesn't get the respect he deserves. He's one of the best linebackers in this league. I've always been a big fan of both of them. They're both great players.
"We just need to focus on getting him [Greenlaw] healthy. I've been in constant contact with him. He's a dog, man. When you keep a dog in a kennel, it can get anxious. He wants to play football so bad. I told him this is God's plan for him right now.
"He just needs to get healthy and control what he can control.Fred Warner and myself, Curtis [Robinson], Flynn [Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles], Zeke [Ezekiel Turner] Dee [Winters], all of us are going to hold the fort down until Greenlaw gets back to where he wants to be."
Campbell's signing may have raised some eyebrows as he struggled last year for the Packers as his physical gifts appeared to wane, though he attributed his issues to the Green Bay coaching staff.
But his experience of eight seasons in the NFL figures to be extremely valuable to the Niners on the field and in the guidance he can provide to other players. From the latter standpoint with Greenlaw, Campbell is already having a huge impact.
