The San Francisco 49ers are wasting no time this offseason, working behind the scenes to bring back two key defensive players—safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Despite limited action last season due to injuries, both players proved their value when they were on the field, and general manager John Lynch is making it clear that the team is eager to keep them in the Bay Area.
Speaking at the NFL Combine on Tuesday, Lynch addressed reporters about the team's efforts to retain these defensive standouts before they hit unrestricted free agency in March.
“Those guys are fantastic players,” Lynch said. “Of course we have interest in bringing them back, and we'll work our tails off to try to make that happen. Whether it does, can't tell you that. But I think in the near future here, things are kicking off. So yeah, we've been in contact with them and their representatives and we’ll continue to be.”
Hufanga’s Road to Recovery
Hufanga’s 2023 season was a rollercoaster of injuries. The talented safety tore his ACL late in Week 11, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season and the first two weeks of the 2024 campaign. Just as he was easing back into action, he suffered an ankle injury in practice, keeping him sidelined again. His return in Week 5 was short-lived, as he then suffered a wrist injury that cost him another seven games.
When he was healthy and on the field, the impact was undeniable. The 49ers' defense played at a different level with Hufanga in the lineup, and his absence exposed weaknesses, particularly in second-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown. Given his history with the team since being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, the 49ers appear open to giving him another chance—assuming he can stay healthy.
Greenlaw’s Fight Back to the Field
Greenlaw’s injury story was just as tough. The explosive linebacker suffered a devastating Achilles tear in Super Bowl LVIII, keeping him out for the first 14 weeks of the regular season. His eventual return sparked a noticeable improvement in the 49ers' defense, reminding everyone why he’s considered one of the top 10 off-ball linebackers in the league when healthy.
With defensive coordinator Robert Saleh back in San Francisco, there’s been a strong push to retain Greenlaw. According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows, Saleh has been leading the charge to keep the 2019 fifth-round pick in the building.
Greenlaw, who only played one half of football in 2024 while recovering from his Achilles injury, is a priority for the team. Star linebacker Fred Warner has been campaigning for his return, and Saleh has reportedly gone all-in on efforts to ensure Greenlaw stays put.
A Strong Push from the Front Office
On Wednesday, Lynch doubled down on the team’s desire to re-sign Greenlaw, emphasizing that the 49ers are “very interested in having Dre back.” The emphasis on “very” wasn’t lost on anyone—San Francisco wants to get a deal done before Greenlaw officially hits free agency. However, Lynch also acknowledged that Greenlaw has earned the right to test the market, stating via The Athletic that he “should go out and see what’s out there.”
The offseason is already shaping up to be an intriguing one for San Francisco, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Saleh’s return as defensive coordinator is a major win, and if the 49ers can bring back Hufanga and Greenlaw on reasonable contracts while ensuring they stay healthy, this defense could return to a championship-caliber level.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
The big question now is whether the 49ers can close these deals before other teams come calling. Hufanga and Greenlaw both have tremendous upside when healthy, and with linebacker and safety being premium positions in today’s NFL, competition for their services could be fierce.
San Francisco has shown time and time again that it values continuity on defense, and keeping these two players would be a major step in maintaining that identity. If they can work out affordable deals and get full, healthy seasons from both, this defense could be one of the league’s best once again. The 49ers are playing the long game here, and fans will be eagerly watching to see how it all unfolds.
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