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nick wagner
multiple authors
Santa Clara, California – just minutes away from each other san francisco 49ers Welcomed one prominent protester and bid farewell to another.
Thursday afternoon, the Niners and the linebackers dre greenlaw A source told ESPN that a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million was agreed upon. Around the same time the deal happened, 49ers defensive end bryce huffWho will turn 28 on April 17, announced his retirement from football through your instagram account.
Greenlaw returns after a year-long affair denver broncosWhere he signed a three-year deal worth $31.5 million in March last year. At the time, the 49ers pursued Greenlaw vigorously, with coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch taking the rare step of flying to Texas to try to convince him to stay.
But Greenlaw’s year in Denver did not live up to expectations. He missed nine games due to quad and hamstring injuries, one of which was missed due to a suspension due to an argument with referee Brad Allen in the Week 7 Broncos win. He was released by the Broncos this week.
Selected in the fifth round by the Niners in 2019, Greenlaw became a team and fan favorite for his hard-charging, relentless playing style. He also struggled to avoid injuries, culminating in a devastating rupture of his left Achilles tendon in Super Bowl LVIII while attempting to run a running back on the field.
Since, Greenlaw has appeared in only 10 regular season games over the past two seasons. Upon returning to the Niners, he would return to his usual position as the weak side linebacker alongside his close friend fred warner If only he could return to close to full health. Dee Winters He took over that position in 2025, starting all 17 games with 101 tackles and one interception. NFL Network first reported the reunion of the Niners and Greenlaw.
While Greenlaw’s return bolsters the Niners’ linebacker corps, Huff’s departure creates another need for pass rush help on the defensive end.
In a more than three-minute long video posted on social media, Huff announced his retirement, thanked those who helped him on his journey and then gave some details about the company he plans to start in the next chapter of his life.
Huff entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis, signing with New York Jets In 2020. He enjoyed a breakout fourth season under then-Jets coach Robert Saleh, posting 10 sacks and 21 quarterback hits in 2023.
That production earned Huff a three-year, $51 million contract philadelphia eagles In free agency, however, he didn’t really fit into Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme. The 49ers traded for Huff last season, reuniting him with Saleh in San Francisco.
For the Niners, Huff had 30 tackles, four sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 15 games in 2025.
“Through all of this, I realized something,” Hough said in the video. “Football has been my whole life. I’ve been playing since I was four years old, but at 27, I know I’m capable of giving the world so much more than just football. The game taught me perseverance. It taught me discipline. It taught me how to lead and how to keep going when things seem impossible. Now it’s time for the next chapter of my life.”
Huff’s decision to retire comes a day before his $1 million roster bonus is due and before the Niners must make a decision on a $14.635 million option bonus before the start of the 2026 season. According to OverTheCap, Huff’s retirement will save the Niners $5.392 million against the salary cap.
To begin his life after football, Huff announced that he plans to dedicate his time to a company called Naborstone that focuses on “building safety infrastructure” to help combat the fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
Huff said, “I can’t ask people who believe in this mission to join me if I’m not willing to do so.” “Football gave me everything and now it’s time for me to dedicate everything to something new. To the game of football and to everyone who believed in me and supported me along the way: thank you.”
