Dre Greenlaw returns to 49ers as Bryce Huff retires from NFL

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Within minutes of each other, the San Francisco 49ers welcomed back one key defender and said goodbye to another.

On Thursday afternoon, the Niners and linebacker Dre Greenlaw agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million, a source told ESPN. Around the same time that deal was struck, 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff, who will turn 28 on April 17, announced his retirement from football via his Instagram account.

Greenlaw’s return comes after a one-year detour to the Denver Broncos, where he signed a three-year, $31.5 million deal in March of last year. At the time, the 49ers strongly pursued Greenlaw 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 didn’t go as hoped. He missed nine games with quad and hamstring injuries with one of those absences coming because of a suspension stemming from an argument with referee Brad Allen in a Week 7 Broncos win. He was released by the Broncos this week.

A fifth-round pick by the Niners in 2019, Greenlaw became a team and fan favorite for his hard-charging, relentless play style. He also struggled to avoid injuries, culminating with a devastating torn left Achilles tendon in Super Bowl LVIII suffered when he was simply attempting to jog back on to the field.

Since, Greenlaw has appeared in just 10 regular season games over the past two seasons. Upon his return to the Niners, he figures to slot back into his usual spot at weakside linebacker alongside close friend Fred Warner if he can return close to full health. Dee Winters handled that position in 2025, starting all 17 games with 101 tackles and an interception. NFL Network first reported the Niners’ and Greenlaw reunion.

While Greenlaw’s return bolsters the Niners linebacker corps, Huff’s departure creates another need for pass rush help at defensive end.

In a little more than three-minute-long video posted to social media, Huff announced his retirement, thanked those who helped him along the way in his journey and then offered some details on 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 the 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 landed Huff a three-year, $51 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, though he didn’t really fit into Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme. The 49ers traded for Huff last offseason, 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 it, I realized something,” Huff said in the video. “Football has been my entire life. I’ve played ever since I was four years old, but at 27 years old, I know I’m capable of giving the world more than just football. The game taught me perseverance. It taught me discipline. It taught me how to lead and how to find a way forward when things feel impossible. Now it’s time for the next chapter of my life.”

Huff’s decision to retire comes one day before he was due a $1 million roster bonus and before the Niners would have to decide on a $14.635 million option bonus before the start of the 2026 season. Huff’s retirement will save the Niners $5.392 million against the salary cap, according to OverTheCap.

To begin his post-football life, Huff announced that he is planning to devote his time to a company called Naberstone that focuses on “building safety infrastructure” to help combat the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries.

“I can’t ask the people who believe in this mission to go all in if I’m not willing to do the same,” Huff said. “Football gave me everything and now it’s time for me to give everything to something new. To the game of football and everybody who believed in me and supported me along the way: Thank you.”