Injuries and the San Francisco 49ers go hand-in-hand, and no other position experienced this worse than at linebacker over the course of 2025, highlighted by the brutal loss of All-Pro Fred Warner to a serious ankle injury in Week 6.
That loss might not have been as bad if the Niners somehow convinced Warner's favorite teammate, Dre Greenlaw, to hang around instead of departing via free agency last offseason.
But Greenlaw ultimately rebuffed San Francisco's last-ditch attempts to retain him, ultimately signing a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos instead.
It appeared as if Greenlaw wanted to be the Warner-like standout on his new team. Unfortunately, though, injuries did more than just get in the way, and Greenlaw managed to appear in only eight regular-season games with a myriad of injuries.
The 49ers certainly had their share of Greenlaw injuries, too.
Perhaps Denver has buyer's remorse, which is an angle Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine used to predict Greenlaw's future, listing him as a possible cap casualty this offseason.
If he suddenly became available again, would the Niners be interested?
If Broncos release Dre Greenlaw, 49ers would surely make an offer
Ballentine went through all 32 teams' three biggest cap casualties, and Greenlaw's injury woes unsurprisingly landed him on the Broncos list.
Of that, B/R's analyst wrote:
"The Broncos are in a nice spot financially so they don't have to get too ruthless to clear space. However, it's worth revisiting the Dre Greenlaw signing. The Broncos inked him to a three-year, $31.5 million contract, but they've left themselves wiggle room to get out of it.
The signing was a bet that Greenlaw could put his injury issues behind him, but that wasn't the case. The 28-year-old was in and out of the lineup this season with groin, ankle, hamstring and quad injuries. He ultimately wound up only playing 58 percent of the snaps in eight games."
Parting ways with Greenlaw would save Denver $6 million in cap space.
Assuming that happens, would San Francisco entertain a reunion? Would Greenlaw?
Warner is expected back and fully healthy to kick off the 2026 campaign, but there remain questions below him on the depth chart. Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune have proven themselves adequate enough, but neither had the prowess Greenlaw possesses. And 2025 rookie Nick Martin has been a major disappointment to date.
True, the 49ers would have to be wary of Greenlaw's ongoing injury problems, but that also opens the door to a team-friendly offer, too.
And Greenlaw might have to entertain one after a frustrating first year in the Mile High City.
Of course, none of that argument would matter if the Broncos merely hope Greenlaw bounces back in full in 2026, leaving the Niners to figure out the below-Warner depth chart another way.