Bringing Robert Saleh back might be a crucial piece to the 49ers’ efforts to retain Dre Greenlaw.
While Fred Warner obviously wants Dre Greenlaw back with the 49ers, Robert Saleh is another voice vying for the linebacker’s return.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is the No. 1 re-sign priority for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason.
Granted, the Niners have to be mindful of their $48.3 million in available salary-cap space entering 2025, particularly when considering a lot of that will be used on the inevitable contract extension coming for quarterback Brock Purdy.
That said, setting some money aside for Greenlaw, a pending free agent, has to be on the table, too.
All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner already made his stance known on Greenlaw, considering his “little brother” an integral part of San Francisco’s defense, let alone Warner’s own ascent to the top of NFL ranks.
But Warner certainly isn’t alone when it comes to the 49ers keeping Greenlaw around in 2025.
Robert Saleh is already advocating for 49ers re-signing Dre Greenlaw
Greenlaw joined the Niners in 2019 when then-coordinator Robert Saleh helmed one of San Francisco’s most dominant defenses in recent memory en route to a Super Bowl appearance.
Like Warner, Saleh played a role in the 49ers selecting Greenlaw in Round 5 of that year’s NFL Draft.
Saleh, who spent 2021 through 2024 as the New York Jets’ head coach, is back in the Bay Area now as the Niners’ defensive coordinator, and it’s no surprise he wants a voice in the final decision on Greenlaw’s immediate future.
At least according to All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa, who revealed as much to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan recently:
“Obviously, we want him back,” Bosa said of Greenlaw. “I know Saleh is very adamant about that.”
The soft-spoken Bosa certainly has some insight there, meaning Saleh is already at work with general manager John Lynch and Co. in trying to figure out a way to keep the 27-year-old Greenlaw around.
Sure, Greenlaw might seek a multi-year deal on the open market for big money, but what works in San Francisco’s favor is the fact he was limited to just two abbreviated games last season after recovering from the devastating Achilles tear suffered in the Super Bowl a year ago.
The 49ers may table the long-term problem by offering Greenlaw a one-year “prove it” kind of deal before committing both big money and time to the standout linebacker who’s often overshadowed by Warner.
Whether or not Greenlaw accepts that kind of contract is unclear, but it’s certainly clear Saleh wants to see some sort of positive development between the two parties this offseason.