How one free agent’s ‘presence’ has taken over the 49ers locker room

The San Francisco 49ers were lauded for their moves in free agency this offseason, which catapulted them up many power rankings ahead of the season.

While the major move that the team made was landing wide receiver Mike Evans, another impactful addition came on the defensive side of the ball with the return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

Greenlaw had been an ascending dominant force through his six-year career in San Francisco before leaving for the Denver Broncos last season. But after only playing in eight games last year before being released, Greenlaw is now back as the LB2 in San Francisco alongside Fred Warner.

While he’s looking to prove himself again, the veteran linebacker has already made his presence known in the 49ers locker room.

“It’s huge,” Brock Purdy said of having Greenlaw’s presence around. “Obviously when he came back, it was like one of our brothers that came back. It’s almost like let’s pick up where we left off after that season when he left. Just his presence. The dawg that he has when he steps on the field, it’s like everybody feeds off that kind of energy.

“Being on offense, I’ll look across the ball and be like, ‘oh shoot’, you got Dre Greenlaw next to Fred [Warner] again, and they’re flying around, and they’re filling the gaps like you can feel them. Just having him in our locker room and his presence, man, it’s a real thing. He looks out for all the young guys too; he’s a real brother. The minute that dude steps on the field, you got to be ready. And we all just want to go to war with him. I think it was a huge addition to get him back.”

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was also hyped up to play with Greenlaw again, noting the linebacker’s mentality and intensity.

“He’s the bully. We got our bully back,” Lenoir chuckled. “I was mad when he left cause I know the intensity he plays with. He’s gonna go 110 percent every game, every practice. I know that he’s gonna give it his all.”

But of course, no player is happier to have Greenlaw back than his running partner Fred Warner.

“It’s just been special from the moment he gave me that phone call telling me he was coming back,” Warner said of Greenlaw. “It’s been super special. Then today, kind of met every expectation. Even days leading up to today, I’ve been having to tell him like, ‘Hey bro, relax,’ because he’s been amped up and ready to go. It’s just great having him back.

“Like I’ve always talked about, he’s one of the best football players I’ve ever played with, and his passion for the game, his mentality, having a guy like that beside you just gives you so much confidence as a player to go out there and rock out. It’s great having him back.”

Reports from the first two days of training camp indicated that Greenlaw has been flying around to start camp, picking up where he left off with the 49ers. If that’s the case, it’s a great sign for the 49ers, who are looking for better results defensively after injuries hit the unit last season.

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →