The writing might already be on the wall regarding the future of two key 49ers players, Charvarius Ward and Dre Greenlaw.
The San Francisco 49ers face plenty of question marks and challenges this offseason, made even more difficult in the wake of a 6-11 finish and in light of what'll be a massive contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy.
That extension is going to cut into the Niners' salary cap space over the foreseeable future, meaning the practice of signing talented players to lucrative deals won't be anywhere as easy as it was when the signal-caller was on his league-low rookie contract.
It also means San Francisco will have to say goodbye to some of its top talent, players who helped the 49ers reach three consecutive NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl in the three seasons prior to 2024.
The Niners' list of pending free agents is long but doesn't include too many household names.
Of the well-known starters, though, two already seem prepared to depart for different pastures in 2025.
Charvarius Ward, Dre Greenlaw unofficially bid farewell to 49ers
Of course, nothing is set in stone until, well... it is.
So, comments and actions by two of San Francisco's top defenders in recent years should be taken as just those: comments and actions.
However, it appears as if cornerback Charvarius Ward and linebacker Dre Greenlaw already understand they won't be playing for the 49ers in 2025.
In Greenlaw's case, his pending free agency is clouded by the fact he only briefly returned to the field this season after suffering a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl last February. While that could hinder him from seeing top value on the open market, 31 other teams know too well what kind of impact he had on the Niners defense alongside All-Pro Fred Warner, and those teams also know how San Francisco's fortunes turned in the Super Bowl once Greenlaw exited with the injury.
Putting it simply, Greenlaw will still be a sought-after asset this offseason, one the 49ers may not be able to afford.
Judging by both Warner and Greenlaw's families, who posted such on TikTok (h/t @TheSFNiners), it appears the latter won't be returning to the Bay Area:
#49ers Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warnerโs significant others have both posted to social media indicating Greenlawโs time in SF has come to an end ๐
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐จ (@TheSFNiners) January 7, 2025
What are your thoughts based on these posts?
h/t @NinersDetail pic.twitter.com/uLkOkAWVBw
Ward's case is far more tragic and understandable, given he lost his one-year-old daughter to medical complications last October.
In his final interview with reporters after the season's conclusion, Ward made it clear that staying in California was exceptionally hard on him after the personal tragedy:
Charvarius Mooney Ward goes into detail about potentially coming back to the #49ers next year, but also the PTSD he has from being here and the trauma he suffered of losing a child. pic.twitter.com/5hXhtxDjxN
โ Matt Lively (@mattblively) January 6, 2025
"Iโve got a lot of trauma in California," Ward said. "I had a lot of great times, but the worst thing thatโs ever happened to me, thatโs probably going to ever happen to meโknock on woodโhappened in California. It can just bring up bad memories. Every time I get on a plane and come back to California, Santa Clara, San Jose, and show up here, it just brings up bad memories."
On top of those tear-jerking reasons, Ward understands the 49ers committed big money to fellow corner Deommodore Lenoir earlier during the season, and opting to go with the younger player likely means they can't afford Ward's own services.
"I just want to go somewhere where Iโm wanted and where Iโm loved," Ward added. "I feel like thatโs what I need right now, a lot of love."