The San Francisco 49ers confront key defensive decisions as free agency approaches, evaluating whether to keep their homegrown talent or pursue familiar faces from the New York Jets who understand Robert Saleh’s system.
But these options might be slipping from their control.
According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrow, two important defensive pieces could be moving elsewhere.
“I think the chances are better than not that Dre Greenlaw is gone. The same with Talanoa Hufanga,” Barrow reported.
His revelation added another degree of intricacy to the 49ers’ summer strategy.
Both Greenlaw and Hufanga are typical 49ers success stories, rising from undervalued draft spots to become defensive stalwarts.
Their influence in 2023 was apparent, albeit Greenlaw’s season ended brutally with a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl.
Now, despite their elevation to major positions in San Francisco’s defense, their futures hang in the balance.
The presence of Fred Warner, Ji’Ayir Brown, and Malik Mustapha might make the 49ers reticent to offer premium contracts to retain them.
Greenlaw’s predicament is particularly noteworthy. The athletic linebacker saw action in just two games this season following his Super Bowl Achilles injury, but he’s anticipated to make a full recovery by 2025.
His mix of range, speed, and tackling power gives him an enticing option for clubs wanting a high-caliber interior linebacker.
Meanwhile, Hufanga remains an impact player despite injury worries that have limited him to 17 games over two seasons.
His knack for causing turnovers and success in defined coverage schemes might make him a worthwhile target for clubs wanting to strengthen their secondary with a versatile safety.
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