The San Francisco 49ers had quite a few key departures this offseason, with the most notable one arguably being linebacker Dre Greenlaw heading to the Denver Broncos on a three-year deal worth over $30 million.
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Greenlaw, a longtime starter for the 49ers since being drafted by the franchise in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, had been the No. 2 linebacker to Fred Warner, but played only half of the 2024 season due to a Torn Achilles injury he suffered in the 2023 Super Bowl.
The 49ers tried to make a last-ditch effort to sign Greenlaw, but it was to no avail, as the linebacker joined former San Francisco safety Talanoa Hufanga with the Denver Broncos.
“The Niners were trying to get back Dre Greenlaw, even after Denver had an agreement done with him,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said back in March. “They were pushing to get that done, and they were trying to flip his decision in this world that we live in, where people commit, and there are agreements.
“The Niners tried to flip Dre Greenlaw back to San Francisco, and I think they were pretty persuasive, but not persuasive enough. And I think Dre Greenlaw stood his ground and kind of stayed with Denver.”
Well, the linebacker is now dealing with another issue, as NBC Sports’s Jennifer Lee Chan reported that Greenlaw suffered a serious quad injury while working out recently, and could miss a ‘substantial’ part of the 2025 season.
“Former 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw, now a member of the Denver Broncos, recently sustained a serious leg injury, multiple sources told NBC Sports Bay Area,” Chan wrote.
“Greenlaw suffered a torn quadriceps while working out, sources said. The injury could force him to miss a substantial portion of the upcoming 2025 NFL season. Recovery from a quadricep tear can range from several weeks and up to several months if surgery is required.”
Greenlaw’s three-year deal had only $11.5 million in guaranteed money, which included a $6.5 million signing bonus and $5 million in salary and bonuses in Year 1. So, the Broncos can get out of the deal after one year, should they choose to.
Nonetheless, it’s a tough break for Greenlaw, who has dealt with a few serious lower-body injuries over the past few years, and a blow to a Denver defense that was arguably the best in the league in 2024.
