Dre Greenlaw Rejoins the 49ers after Notable Year with the Broncos

Dre Greenlaw, a linebacker, has returned to the San Francisco 49ers after a season with the Denver Broncos. He initially joined the Broncos with a three-year, $31.5 million contract but was released less than a year later. While his departure was due to various reasons, one factor he will not miss is Denver’s altitude.

The altitude in Denver was challenging, Greenlaw shared with The Athletic. It affected my sleep and my overall condition.

In contrast, he praised California’s air quality, noting it allows for better stamina.

Greenlaw faced challenges from the start of his Broncos career. A quadriceps injury during OTAs sidelined him until Week 7. This strain on his participation seemed to create tension with head coach Sean Payton. The injury made things tough between us, Greenlaw mentioned.

Last season, he participated in eight games, starting in seven. He recorded 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. The defensive scheme in Denver differed from what he was used to in San Francisco, and he struggled to adapt.

I don’t blame the Broncos; I take responsibility, Greenlaw stated. Injuries hampered my readiness to meet expectations.

Greenlaw acknowledged he needed more time to recover from previous injuries and should have approached his return more cautiously. Instead, he felt pressure to prove his worth after his substantial contract. After the Broncos released him, Greenlaw signed a one-year contract with the 49ers, valued at $7.5 million. He expressed appreciation for being back in a familiar setting in California, describing it as home.

It’s good to be back, he admitted. I’m focused on playing my best and proving my critics wrong.