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Robert Saleh Pushing Hard to Keep Dre Greenlaw with the 49ers
Robert Saleh, recently fired as the Jets’ head coach, has returned to the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive coordinator — and he’s wasting no time making his voice heard. Saleh, who previously coached the Niners defense before leaving for New York, is determined to keep key players like linebacker Dre Greenlaw on the roster.
#49ers DC Robert Saleh has reportedly been putting on a “full-court press” and making calls to Dre Greenlaw telling him he wants him to come back, per @mattbarrows
H/T @Coach_Yac pic.twitter.com/T0IASVUp4B
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) February 28, 2025
Despite the team’s linebacker depth concerns, 49ers GM John Lynch had initially indicated that Greenlaw would be allowed to test free agency. However, Saleh is reportedly pushing back hard on that plan. According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, Saleh has been in frequent contact with Greenlaw, stressing how important he is to the team’s defense. Saleh has been putting on a “full-court press,” actively lobbying to keep Greenlaw in San Francisco.
Greenlaw’s Injury Woes Complicate Matters
The 49ers endured a rough season, finishing with only six wins, and injuries played a big part in their struggles. Greenlaw was briefly activated in December, but his season was ultimately derailed as he continued recovering from torn Achilles surgery. On top of that, Christian McCaffrey missed significant time with calf and Achilles issues of his own.
Greenlaw, a six-year veteran, has been one of the team’s most reliable defenders when healthy. However, his injury history makes offering a long-term contract a tricky decision for Lynch and the front office.
John Lynch’s Mixed Messaging
While Lynch publicly stated that the 49ers would love to keep Greenlaw, he also encouraged the linebacker to explore his options in free agency — a move that could leave the team dangerously thin at linebacker if Greenlaw finds a better offer elsewhere. Still, Lynch suggested that negotiations are ongoing, and there’s hope they can strike a deal before free agency officially opens.
Potential Backup Plans — Including Nick Bolton?
Rumors have also linked the 49ers to Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, who is set to hit free agency after his rookie deal expires. However, whether Kansas City lets Bolton walk — and if San Francisco can afford him — remains to be seen. Bolton has also been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders, adding another layer of uncertainty.
The Bottom Line
With Greenlaw’s injury history, Lynch’s cautious approach is understandable, but Saleh’s passionate push to keep him underscores just how important Greenlaw is to the 49ers’ defense. Whether Saleh’s influence will be enough to secure a deal before free agency opens is still up in the air — but it’s clear the battle to keep Greenlaw is well underway.