The San Francisco 49ers have 24 players due to hit unrestricted free agency on March 14 when the 2025 NFL league year opens.
With a hefty new contract likely coming for quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers will have to be mindful of how they dole out long-term deals knowing that they’ll have their signal caller’s big-money contract on the books.
However, they can’t let all their free agents walk. They’ll bring back some of the lower-tier FAs on affordable deals. Others who’ll likely have more robust markets may quickly get priced out of what the 49ers are willing and able to afford.
One free agent they may need to make an exception for is linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Even in 34 snaps this season after returning from an Achilles injury he suffered in the Super Bowl, Greenlaw proved his value in a 49ers LB corps that struggled to replace him.
Pro Football Focus named Greenlaw the one free agent San Francisco can’t afford to lose:
Re-signing Greenlaw comes with inherent risk, given the multitude of injuries he’s dealt with over the past 12 months. He’s a vital part of the 49ers’ run defense, though, and his absence was a big reason for the team ranking 28th in PFF run-defense grade this season. Surely, San Francisco will spend some of its resources improving the defensive line, as well, but Greenlaw’s presence would give the team some peace of mind on that side of the ball.
His market is going to be interesting. Before the injury he was comfortably one of the 10 best off-ball linebacker in the NFL. Then he tore his Achilles, suffered a knee injury in his return, then a calf injury the following week that ultimately led to him being shut down for the year just two games into his return.
Perhaps a full offseason will allow him time to fully heal and get back to something near 100 percent next season. Teams will be wary before shelling out a deal at or near the top of the market, but his play in his brief return provided flashes of what he is at his best.
Greenlaw’s athleticism, instincts and tenacity in the second level of the 49ers defense wasn’t something they were able to replace in 2024. It’s not something they may be able to ever replace. Instead of trying to figure out how to replace a key piece of their defense on the cheap, the 49ers should make a play to keep Greenlaw in red and gold while figuring out other places on the roster they can make up the cost.
