Greenlaw reveals the "weird connection" and "partner in crime" dynamic fueling the 49ers' dominant linebacker duo.
The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for another season with star linebacker Dre Greenlaw. The excitement appears to be mutual.
Greenlaw unloaded a lot of positivity in discussing his return to the team. The star defender was full of gratitude for what another year could bring with his NFL team. The move solidifies what should be a strong defense for the 2026 season.
The linebacker shared that he's not only excited to play in the Niners defense but also looks forward to playing alongside fellow Niners linebacker Fred Warner. Greenlaw shared the following admission of what the two bring in tandem in the middle of the San Francisco defense.
“There’s just a certain feeling we got when we play— it’s not for each other, but when we look across and we see each other, you dang right it’s for each other. You not going to let me down and I’m not going to let you down. It’s such a weird connection. He knows I’m going to put all I got on the line and I know he’s going to do the same. That’s all you can ask for. It’s like a partner in crime.”
It goes without saying that the Niners have somewhat of a transition year in having lost elite defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. While the team is confident in new defensive play caller Raheem Morris, there will be some instability in the move to a new DC. That said, the continuity in place, particularly at linebacker, makes the transition less daunting than it might be in other organizations.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) celebrates his interception during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mark Hoffman, Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesMuch of the shine for the Niners has come on the offensive side where star running back Christian McCaffrey, playmaking tight end George Kittle and clutch performing quarterback Brock Purdy steal plenty of headlines. But the defense that the team fielded last year returns enough to be excited about what they can bring to the team this year on the field.
The linebacker position in some ways has become devalued as the passing game has flourished. There are not as many 260-pound middle linebackers as there were 20 years ago. The position is simply too dynamic. That said, the dual nature of the linebacker position makes it as important now as it ever has been in past seasons.
The Niners solidified their linebacker corps for the 2026 season it appears. Now, they will look to put it all together on the field.