The San Francisco 49ers moved to 4-0 on Sunday, defeating the Denver Broncos 24-14, and no one seemed to want the win more than 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
The veteran linebacker is back in San Francisco this season, after spending last year with the Broncos. Greenlaw has admitted that he didn’t like how things ended in Denver, so Sunday’s game was personal for him.
The linebacker made that clear during the game, jumping up after making tackles and talking directly to Broncos coach Sean Payton. After the game is when Greenlaw really got everyone’s attention, though, by directly confronting Payton.
The longtime head coach came to shake Greenlaw’s hand, but was met by the linebacker telling him to "get the f*** off my field!"
Of course, the moment has made the rounds on social media, with everyone talking about the contentiousness between Greenlaw and Payton. While that’s the biggest takeaway, the clip also showed something else: how Greenlaw and Fred Warner are the perfect duo.
As Greenlaw was getting what he had to get off his chest, Warner was right behind him, dragging him away and attempting to de-escalate the situation.
That pretty much captures their dynamic as a linebacker duo, and why they work so well together.
Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw continue to balance each other for 49ers defense
The best linebacker duos are usually comprised of two archetypes: the prototypical middle linebacker who leads the defense with an even-keeled approach, and the fiery linebacker who plays with a palpable emotion. Both balance each other out, and bring a mindset good defenses need.
Warner and Greenlaw fit those profiles, respectively. Warner is one of the faces of the franchise, and the unquestioned leader of the defense. Greenlaw brings the juice, and plays with a level of intensity that forces his teammates to raise theirs. Together, they make an incredible tandem, and that’s why the 49ers defense has been so good with the two in the middle.
That was on display on Sunday, as Greenlaw led San Francisco with 12 total tackles. Warner was right behind him with seven tackles, adding two pass deflections as well. With their contributions, the Niners defense was able to limit the Broncos to just 14 points.
Just as the two were in sync during the game, their bond and connection showed up in the postgame moment. It’s not a coincidence Warner was right there to make sure things didn’t go too far. He knew how Greenlaw, who he calls his brother, was feeling. He also probably had a pretty good idea of what he was about to do.
That understanding of each other is also why they are able to make so many plays together.
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