Nick Bosa indicates that Robert Saleh will have significant impact on a critical upcoming free agent decision for the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of difficult decisions to make this offseason concerning personnel. While the Brock Purdy contract negotiation will dominate the headlines, from a defensive perspective there is arguably no bigger issue than the future of linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw will be a free agent at the start of the new […]
The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of difficult decisions to make this offseason concerning personnel. While the Brock Purdy contract negotiation will dominate the headlines, from a defensive perspective there is arguably no bigger issue than the future of linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Greenlaw will be a free agent at the start of the new league year next month following a 2024 season that was essentially lost to the torn Achilles he suffered in Super Bowl 58 last February.
He officially played in two games after making his return against the Los Angeles Rams in December, but was unable to complete three quarters across that matchup and the subsequent week's game with the Miami Dolphins.
His struggles coming off the injury could be seen as something that would tempt the 49ers to let him walk, but defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, back for a second spell in that role, has other ideas.
Nick Bosa spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan at the Pro Bowl Games, and the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year revealed Saleh is very keen on Greenlaw remaining with the team.
"He's going to do what's best for him, and he should do that at this point in his career," Bosa said. "But obviously, we want him back, and I know Saleh is very adamant about that."
That Saleh is eager for Greenlaw's return is no surprise. The 2019 fifth-round pick has served as one of the emotional heartbeats of the defense since his rookie year, when he made a series of key plays as San Francisco reached Super Bowl 54 with Saleh as defensive coordinator.
The Niners have spoken openly about how Greenlaw's injury turned the tide in their Super Bowl 58 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and his impact on the one full half he did manage to play against the Rams in 2024 was easy for all to see.
Greenlaw was clearly the best 49ers player on the field for those two quarters, and his running mate at linebacker, All-Pro Fred Warner, is equally desperate for his return.
"That's been my goal," Warner said when asked if he has been campaigning for Greenlaw to re-sign with the team.
"I'll let them handle that, and hopefully, we can keep him."
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