Greenlaw Returns to Niners, Fills Starting LB Spot

0:00It's April 2, I'm Cory with the story. This is NFL News Today, driven by AI and Bill for football fans. Dre Greenlaw is back with the San Francisco 49ers after a quick stop with the Denver Broncos. The linebacker signed a deal to return to the Bay Area right after Denver released him in free agency. Broncos head coach Sean Payton called it a tough loss, praising Greenlaw's passion and competitive fire that he brought even in limited time. Payton noted how Greenlaw made an impact late in the season, despite joining the team at the end of October. But entries kept him off the field a lot, playing only about 50% of snaps for $11 million. That mismatch made it hard for the Broncos to keep him, especially when he wasn't feeling his top speed. Greenlaw opened up about his frustration in Denver, saying he hated splitting reps and not being the full-time starter he expected. He felt out of sorts taking time from teammates who were balling out. Now heading home to San Francisco changes all that. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says Greenlaw will most likely slide right back into the starting

1:04wheel linebacker spot during organized team. Activities. That's his natural position and the team expects him to lock it down. What really pulled Greenlaw back were the tight bonds with the staff, from ownership to Kyle Shanahan and especially his partner in crime vibe with Fred Warner. That energy feeds their defense, boosting run stops and overall intensity where the 9ers needed it most.