The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back a familiar face to bolster their linebacker group.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is returning to San Francisco on a one-year, $7.5 million deal, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Following the announcement of Greenlaw’s return, the 49ers also confirmed three other signings: tight end Jake Tonges re-signed on a two-year contract, offensive lineman Vederian Lowe agreed to a two-year deal, and OL Brett Toth inked a one-year pact.
Greenlaw was a fifth-round pick for the 49ers in the 2019 draft and steadily grew into a key piece of San Francisco’s defense. He earned a starting role in 2022 and made 30 starts across the 2022-2023 seasons, recording 247 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, one interception, and two forced fumbles. He helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LVIII in 2023 but suffered a devastating Achilles injury at Allegiant Stadium, which sidelined him for nearly the entire following season.
After appearing in only two games in 2024, Greenlaw signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Denver Broncos. Injuries limited his time on the field, and Denver eventually cut him after one season, opting to use cap space to retain linebackers Justin Strnad and Alex Singleton.
Now 29, Greenlaw returns to the 49ers with a new defensive coordinator in town. Raheem Morris replaces Robert Saleh, who departed for the head coaching job in Tennessee. Greenlaw is expected to provide veteran depth behind San Francisco’s linebacking corps, an area that proved vulnerable to injuries last season.
