Santa Clara, CA. The San Francisco 49ers have officially reunited with one of the emotional leaders of their defense, bringing back linebacker Dre Greenlaw after his recent release from the Denver Broncos.

The reunion comes after San Francisco lost the linebacker last offseason when Denver offered him a stronger deal in free agency.

At the time, the 49ers attempted to retain Greenlaw, with head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch even traveling to meet him personally with a contract offer, but the Broncos ultimately won the bidding.

That chapter in Denver ended quickly. Greenlaw played only eight games during the 2025 season while dealing with quad and hamstring injuries before being released when free agency opened.

San Francisco has now brought Greenlaw back on a one-year “prove-it” contract worth $7 million, giving the veteran linebacker an opportunity to re-establish his value while returning to a defensive system where he previously thrived.

During his previous stint with the 49ers, Greenlaw became the emotional engine of the defense. His physical playing style and relentless energy helped define the identity of San Francisco’s unit during several deep playoff runs.

His return also reunites him with All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, forming once again one of the league’s most dynamic linebacker tandems.

Warner’s instincts and coverage ability paired with Greenlaw’s aggressive tone-setting presence made the duo a nightmare for opposing offenses.

The 49ers’ defense has grown younger over the past two seasons, and the organization believes Greenlaw’s leadership and experience will help stabilize the unit moving forward.

For Greenlaw, the contract represents a chance to prove he can still perform at a high level after injuries slowed him in Denver. For the 49ers, it is a low-risk move that brings back a player who already understands the team’s culture and defensive scheme.

In many ways, the reunion feels like unfinished business — and both sides now have a chance to write a new chapter together in the 2026 season.