The San Francisco 49ers just scraped out a 24-14 win against the Denver Broncos in a true rock fight, exactly what they anticipated for their Week 4 matchup. This was an ultra-physical battle, a real test of wills where the 49er offense had to stay super patient, grinding down Denver’s tough defense. The whole thing really turned on a key special teams play from Siran Neal in the third quarter. But if you’re looking for the real story, it’s all about two guys whose physicality was sorely missed last season, guys who left only to find their way back to the 49ers this year: Dre Greenlaw and Deebo Samuel.
Dre Greenlaw’s Unbelievable Revenge Tour
For Dre Greenlaw, this game was pure, unadulterated revenge. You remember how he left the 49ers in 2025, signing with the Broncos as a free agent? Well, Denver cut him in March, just one year into a three-year deal. Apparently, they were put off by an injury-affected 2025 season, which included that brutal Achilles tear running onto the field in Super Bowl 58. So yeah, Greenlaw had a fire lit under him. And he made darn sure everyone knew it. He was absolutely everywhere against his former team, racking up 12 tackles, forcing a fumble, and getting three pressures. He even spent a good chunk of the game talking trash to Broncos head coach Sean Payton, to the point where he had to be held back from confronting him at the end.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan wasn’t surprised, saying, “We knew he’d be excited going into this game. Dre’s excited going into every game, but this one meant a little more to him. I was a little nervous there in the first half. We told him, ‘You can get close, but don’t be so excited you give them an explosive with 15.’” Shanahan knew Greenlaw could explode, but the linebacker kept it reeled in just enough. “Dre held his emotions good enough today and led the team in tackles and had an unbelievable game. He’s had an unbelievable season so far.” Being deemed expendable? That’s all the fuel a player like Greenlaw needs to go full throttle, and the 49ers are clearly thrilled he’s doing it for them.
The Astute Call to Bring Them Back
It’s pretty wild to think both Greenlaw and Deebo Samuel actually decided to leave the 49ers in 2025. Greenlaw went to Denver, and Samuel requested a trade, landing with the Washington Commanders. Neither move really worked out for them, and the 49ers made the smart play, deciding to reunite with both players on one-year deals. Talk about an astute call, right? Bringing them back is looking like an absolute steal, with their value to the team obvious. The win against the Broncos laid bare exactly what these guys bring to the field. They both produced key performances, driven by that same motivating factor of proving everyone wrong. For Greenlaw, that meant a monster game filled with pure aggression.
The 49ers had to be patient and grind it out, but they got the job done. With guys like Greenlaw playing with that kind of fire, ready to deliver every single week, the 49ers look like they made some seriously clever moves this season. Shanahan’s right: Greenlaw is having an unbelievable season, and that intensity is something to watch moving forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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