BREAKING: 49ers Depart Ways with Linebacker and others following six-season stint with the San Francisco 49ers
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s tenure in The Bay has concluded after six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. As one of several veteran starters exploring free agency, Greenlaw has chosen to continue his career with the Denver Broncos.
A fifth-round selection (148th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft, Greenlaw emerged as a key leader in San Francisco’s defense, forming a dominant linebacker duo with Pro Bowler and All-Pro Fred Warner. Except for the seasons in which injuries sidelined him (2021 and 2024), Greenlaw and Warner consistently finished as the team’s top two tacklers.
During his six years with the 49ers, Greenlaw played in 64 games (56 starts), amassing 455 tackles, 14 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions—including one returned for a touchdown—and two forced fumbles. He also started 12 playoff games, recording 72 tackles, three passes defensed, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in postseason action.
Thank You Dre Greenlaw
Greenlaw spent most of the 2024 season recovering from an Achilles injury sustained in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII. His highly anticipated return in Week 15 was met with a roaring ovation from the team and fans as he stepped back onto the field.
After the game, Greenlaw reflected on what playing in The Bay meant to him.
“I miss everything about it,” Greenlaw said. “The fans, running out there at Levi’s®, playing alongside Fred, and just the feeling of being next to him—everything about it.”
Thank You Talanoa Hufanga
Safety Talanoa Hufanga is among the notable free agency departures from the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. After completing his rookie contract, the veteran safety is set to begin a new chapter with the Denver Broncos.
A fifth-round pick (180th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft, Hufanga quickly ascended to a starting role by his second season, earning both All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Over 49 games (37 starts), he recorded 219 tackles, seven interceptions—one returned for a touchdown—14 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. In the postseason, he appeared in five games (three starts), contributing 17 tackles and a pass defensed.
Hufanga delivered several memorable plays during his time in The Bay, but one stands out in 49ers playoff history. In the 2021 Divisional Round against the top-seeded Green Bay Packers, San Francisco trailed 10-3 with under five minutes remaining. A game-changing moment unfolded when defensive lineman Jordan Willis blocked a Packers punt at the 12-yard line, and Hufanga scooped up the ball and ran it in for a touchdown, tying the game. His clutch special teams play energized the 49ers, who then forced a three-and-out and orchestrated a game-winning field goal drive to advance to the NFC Championship.
Thank You Charvarius Ward
Veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward has closed the Bay Area chapter of his career, signing with the Indianapolis Colts after three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
Ward’s career continued its upward trajectory during his time in San Francisco. Originally entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, he found long-term roles with the Kansas City Chiefs (2018-21), the 49ers (2022-24), and now the Colts. During his tenure with San Francisco, Ward established himself as one of the NFL’s premier lockdown cornerbacks.
Starting 46 regular-season games for the 49ers, Ward recorded 213 tackles, 41 passes defensed, and six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He also started six postseason games, adding 23 tackles and four passes defensed.
Ward’s best season came in 2023 when he led the league with 23 passes defensed and notched a career-high five interceptions. His standout performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors as the 49ers made their run to Super Bowl LVIII.
“Hopefully, this isn’t my last one. I worked all my life for (my All-Pro selection), all my career for it, all offseason for it,” Ward told 49ers Report by Chat Sports at Super Bowl LVIII. “It’s a great feeling. It showed me that I’m one of the big dogs, one of them ones, one of the great ones. I’m going to keep striving for greatness.”
Thank You Deebo Samuel Sr.
The start of the new league year brought significant changes to the San Francisco 49ers roster, including the departure of one of the team’s most beloved players. After six seasons with the franchise, wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is headed to the Washington Commanders via trade.
“He’s asked for a fresh start, and we’re going to honor that,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine before the trade was finalized. “I don’t like seeing great players leave, and he is a great player. I think one of my favorite draft picks in my time.”
Lynch added, “Love, there’s a lot of love there. There’s a lot of respect there. There are a lot of shared experiences, so to let that go, that’s difficult.”
In Washington, Samuel Sr. reunites with former 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters, who now serves as the Commanders’ general manager. Peters, who spent seven seasons in San Francisco (2017-2023), was the team’s vice president of player personnel in 2019, the year Samuel Sr. was drafted 36th overall in the second round.
During his six-season tenure with the 49ers, the versatile “wideback” played a key role in four NFC Championship Game appearances and two Super Bowl runs (LIV and LVIII). He was also a two-time team captain.
Samuel Sr. appeared in 81 regular-season games (73 starts), tallying 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 touchdowns, along with 202 carries for 1,134 rushing yards and 20 rushing scores. In 12 postseason starts, he recorded 46 catches for 638 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 52 carries for 288 yards and one touchdown.
His best season came in 2021 when he earned First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors after posting career-highs in receiving yards (1,405), rushing yards (365), carries (59), and rushing touchdowns (eight).
Over the past few weeks, Samuel Sr. has expressed gratitude toward the 49ers organization and its fans via social media.
“(The) 49ers know where I stand with them, and it’s nothing but love,” he wrote on X. “Love John and Kyle (Shanahan) to death, no bad blood, no way shape or form. They know I’m more than appreciative of everything they’ve done for me as a player and a man. Nothing but love.”