Plugging any linebacker into the San Francisco 49ers defense alongside All-Pro Fred Warner seems like an easy win, but recent history shows that hasn't always been the case. And it was made that much tougher when Warner suffered a devastating ankle injury early in 2025, putting even more pressure on the Niners' banged-up linebacker corps.
The so-so results alongside Warner (De'Vondre Campbell's failed experiment notwithstanding) also included pushing a veteran special teams ace, Luke Gifford, into the equation at times last season.
A move made out of necessity rather than via strength of depth, San Francisco was desperately trying to account for Warner's absence while also attempting to figure out the best combinations of the also-oft-injured duo of Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune.
Unfortunately, Gifford left a lot to be desired, ultimately prompting the 49ers to go out and sign veterans off the street, such as Eric Kendricks.
And that might be part of the reason the Niners ultimately decided to reunite with Warner's prior linebacking mate, Dre Greenlaw, earlier this offseason. Getting that duo back ultimately took a lot of pressure off the front office to stack up the linebacking unit.
But it doesn't mean Gifford is an odd man out. Not by a long shot.
49ers are hoping Luke Gifford stays relegated to special teams only
San Francisco opted to bring the soon-to-be 31-year-old Gifford back on a two-year deal this offseason, one worth up to $5 million with a shade over $2 million guaranteed.
Yet the preference is for Gifford to maintain his prowess on special teams, and it wouldn't be a shock if coordinator Brant Boyer pounded the table for the 49ers to retain the reserve backer entering 2026, especially after Gifford earned a Pro Bowl nod for his efforts on the critically overlooked third phase of the game.
As far as seeing the defensive side of the field, though, the Niners would prefer it if Gifford stayed clear.
Those aforementioned injuries forced Gifford into the fray a lot over 2025, as he logged 172 defensive snaps, second most in a season over his seven-year career. And while he wasn't particularly great in run defense, he was a massive liability against the pass, allowing opposing quarterbacks a whopping 149.1 passer rating when targeting him.
Sure, San Francisco completed shook up its linebacking corps earlier this offseason by reuniting with Greenlaw, trading Winters and adding rookie Jaden Dugger, and it can hope to get something out of second-year pro Nick Martin, too.
But, if Gifford takes substantial defensive snaps over the course of 2026, it'll be a pretty painful indication the 49ers' linebacker corps has either been hit hard by injuries or has been ruled almost completely ineffective.
And that'd be bad.
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