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49ers Should Reunite With This Beloved Former Player

Do not be surprised if the 49ers bring back this former player after he was recently released.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) intercepts a pass during the third quarter of their NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Levi    Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers 24-21.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) intercepts a pass during the third quarter of their NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers 24-21. | Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

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If there's one thing the San Francisco 49ers are fond of, it's reuniting with former players and coaches.

Right now, they are perfectly lined up to reunite with a former beloved player – Dre Greenlaw. The Denver Broncos released Greenlaw on day one of free agency.

It seems his injuries and personality, apparently, were too much for the Broncos at the price they were paying. That's totally fine for the 49ers, as they love who Greenlaw is.

Last year in free agency, the 49ers wanted Greenlaw back so badly that they flew out Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to meet him at his home with a contract offer.

Now, the 49ers have a chance to rewrite that wrong. And maybe with Greenlaw, he gets a chance to rewrite his own as well if he had any doubts about departing the 49ers for Denver.

Dre Greenlaw would be welcomed back

Dre Greenla
Jan 22, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) celebrate after a stop during the first quarter of a NFC divisional round game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The 49ers should reunite with Greenlaw. They never wanted him to leave in the first place. It was their own misjudgement of his market that was their downfall.

If they came correct to Greenlaw with an offer in a timely manner, Greenlaw likely stays with the 49ers. Instead, they tried to let the market show him that his value wasn't that high.

That blew up in their face when the Broncos offered him a deal. By that time, it was too late. Greenlaw had made up his mind after the Broncos showed him his worth.

Although it didn't pan out for Greenlaw and the Broncos. He only managed to play in eight games due to a quad and hamstring injury. He also received a one-game suspension for arguing with a referee.

It makes sense why the Broncos released him, but it also makes perfect sense for the 49ers to reunite with him. His value is low.

And while he has struggled to remain healthy the last two seasons, he's a player worth rolling the dice on. If anything, his presence is what the 49ers could use more than his production.

Greenlaw was always the motor of the defense for the 49ers. He was energetic and an elite tone-setter. They could use that, given how young they are on defense.

I'm sure Fred Warner would advocate for Greenlaw to be back as well. Don't be surprised if the 49ers reunite with him in the next couple of weeks.

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Jose Luis Sanchez III
JOSE SANCHEZ

Jose Luis Sanchez III has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily for FanNation since 2019. He started off as the lead publisher for FanNation's All49ers, then switched positions to become the Deputy Editor in 2020. Sanchez writes, edits, and produces videos daily for All49ers. He also co-hosts a show on YouTube with All49ers lead publisher Grant Cohn weekly. Prior to FanNation, Sanchez started his writing career back in 2016 for the school newspaper at Skyline college where he covered all sports team in the Bay Area. Following that from 2017 to 2019, he found a role as a contributor for FanSided's news desk along with their site's Just Blog Baby covering the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Gate Sports every professional Bay Area sports team. Atop all of that, he was able to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University in 2020. Sanchez is committed to ensuring he delivers transparent analysis and straightforward opinions that resonates with readers to get them thinking.

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