Something was missing from the San Francisco 49ers’ defense this past season, and it may have been because one of their best defenders was limited to just two games.
Nevertheless, the 49ers’ defense went from allowing just 17.5 points per game (PPG) in 2023 (third in NFL) to allowing 25.6 PPG (29th in NFL).
While the 49ers did undergo a defensive coordinator change, with Nick Sorensen taking over for Steve Wilks, others believe the extended absence of linebacker Dre Greenlaw played a big factor too.
The 27-year-old tore his Achilles in Super Bowl 58 and remained out of action until making his 2024 season debut in Week 15. Greenlaw only played in one more game before being shut down due to continued discomfort in his surgically repaired Achilles.
Now, Greenlaw enters unrestricted free agency, where establishing a fair value for his services is tricky.
However, On SI’s Jose Luis Sanchez III believes the 49ers can’t afford to risk letting Greenlaw leave in free agency. He urges the team to do what it takes to re-sign a crucial part of their defense.
“Greenlaw only managed to play one-half of football and three snaps in 2024,” Sanchez wrote. “It’s not an encouraging sign of where he is at physically, so there are concerns and risks with him if the 49ers commit to him. However, it is a risk worth taking. The 49ers should re-sign Greenlaw.”
Sanchez emphasizes that the numbers might not show all of the benefits of having Greenlaw on the team.
“From the very first snap in his debut game against the Rams, Greenlaw was a difference-maker,” he added. “The impact he was having was evident. Most importantly his energy was influencing the rest of the 49ers’ defenders. They have missed that from Greenlaw the most. He is the motor of the defense. Every elite defense needs a tone-setter and someone to be uplifting. Greenlaw is that player for the 49ers. They won’t be able to find anyone to replace that in free agency or the draft. Roll the dice and re-sign the heart of the defense.”
Meanwhile, 49ers general manager John Lynch has already admitted that he’d like Greenlaw back in San Francisco, so it may just be a matter of figuring out a dollar amount that works for everyone.
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