PALM BEACH, Fla. — All is fair in love and free agency.
That was Denver Broncos’ coach Sean Payton’s take on the San Francisco 49ers’ last-ditch effort to reel in linebacker Dre Greenlaw after he’d agreed to sign with Denver, a push that involved John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan flying to Texas to try to get Greenlaw to remain in San Francisco.
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Payton said there was no hard feelings from the Broncos, who knew their three-year, $35 million deal couldn’t be fully ratified until the official start of free agency on Wednesday afternoon of that week. Payton also knew there would be intense competition for Greenlaw and, according to league sources, at least nine teams were vying for the linebacker at some point.
“We thought he was going to be highly sought after,” Payton said Monday at the NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach. “I think (Greenlaw’s Achilles) injury maybe plays a little part as to how he became a free agent, otherwise he doesn’t ever hit the free-agent market. He’s someone whose contract (would have been) redone. I should say that nothing surprises you anymore but we felt there would be (competition). … These guys are young players when you look at their pitch count and their age.”
While the 49ers ultimately exceeded Denver’s offer, they also could have signed him well before free agency began. And, according to league sources, their initial offers to Greenlaw fell well short of what he ultimately was given.
Lynch on Monday suggested the Achilles injury that cost Greenlaw nearly all of the 2024 season made the 49ers cautious and led them to take a wait-and-see approach to what his market would be.
“We weren’t done with Dre, but we had to go through the process,” Lynch said. “And other teams were aggressive in their pursuit of him. And we were kind of — I guess forced to be somewhat reactive. Then when the market was set, we just wanted to go have a conversation with our guy who we have a lot of respect and love for. And we had a good conversation with him. He made a decision. We respect that decision and are grateful to Dre for all the work he did for us. And we wish him the best in Denver.”
Payton, meanwhile, noted that he now has a trio of ex-49ers up the middle of his defense: defensive lineman D.J. Jones, Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga, whom the Broncos also signed earlier this month. He said Jones had a hand in bringing his ex-teammates to Denver.
“D.J. shared a locker room with these guys and knows them very well,” Payton said. “We were excited on Wednesday (of free agency). I’ll be honest with you — we felt we got better.”
Greenlaw’s departure means the 49ers must find someone to fill the weakside linebacker in 2025. Lynch again noted that Dee Winters will be a candidate but that Winters won’t be handed the job.
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“He’s got to show that he can fill those shoes,” Lynch said. “That’s a high ask to go be Dre Greenlaw right away.”
The 49ers also could look for a linebacker in a draft that’s believed to be merely OK at the position. Payton, meanwhile, said the Broncos preferred not to have a rookie manning the middle of their defense.
“I think it’s a little bit harder to say we found our inside linebacker, whether it’s a Mike or a Will, (when it’s) a rookie,” he said. “There are certain positions that … and that’s not to say that a rookie can’t come in and do it. But I think it’s harder to project that.”
Aiyuk expected to remain with the 49ers
Lynch said he expects receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, to remain with the team in 2025. Aiyuk is due a $22.9 million bonus on Tuesday, making that a de facto deadline for a trade.
Lynch called the league interest in Aiyuk a remnant from last year when the 49ers had trouble signing the receiver to a multiyear deal.
“So it’s probably spillover — people calling,” he said. “You always take calls from folks. We’ve always been interested in Brandon being a part of the Niners.”
As for Aiyuk’s recovery, Lynch said the receiver recently had a positive follow-up visit with surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
“He did very well,” Lynch said. “We’re pleased with BA’s progress. He’s been working hard. And he got good reviews from Dr. ElAttrache.”
Odds and ends
• More evidence there’s no hard feelings between the 49ers and Broncos: The teams are trying to organize a joint practice this summer. That means that Greenlaw — no stranger to on-field dustups — will have an opportunity to scrimmage against Jauan Jennings, George Kittle and the rest of the 49ers players.
• The 49ers have added the United Arab Emirates as one of their global markets, joining Mexico and the United Kingdom in their international market collection. The team has not been informed that they will play in any international games this year. Team owner Jed York has said Mexico City is the likeliest destination in future seasons.
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• Lynch said the 49ers knew when they signed him there was a possibility new receiver Demarcus Robinson could be suspended for the first three games this season due to a DUI arrest in Southern California in November. That means two of the team’s top four receivers — Aiyuk (ACL) and Robinson — could miss the first three weeks.
“There’s an opportunity that he may miss some time,” Lynch said of Robinson.
(Photo of Dre Greenlaw: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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