Two days after the sudden move by linebacker Eric Kendricks, who initially agreed to join the 49ers but then signed with the Cowboys, San Francisco seems ready to pursue another linebacker. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers are showing a strong interest in De’Vondre Campbell, a linebacker recently released from the Packers. Eric Kendricks made a deal with the San Francisco 49ers but then signed with the Cowboys.The 49ers are interested in signing De’Vondre Campbell after he was released by the Packers, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. 49erDe’Vondre Campbell, who has played for the Falcons and Cardinals, is a top target for the 49ers due to his experience and the team's desire to strengthen their defense. De’Vondre Campbell has a lot of experience and would be a valuable addition to the 49ers, who are aiming to improve their defense and return to the Super Bowl..
De’Vondre Campbell has been in the NFL for eight years, playing in 115 games and starting in 110 of them. He has previously played for the Falcons and Cardinals.
Matt Maiocco, a team insider, reported on Thursday that the 49ers are highly interested in De’Vondre Campbell, an eight-year veteran and former first-team All-Pro player who was released by the Packers. As team insider Matt Maiocco posted on Twitter/X on Thursday: “The #49ers The 49ers are showing a strong interest in former Packers LB De’Vondre Campbell, source says. Campbell, an eight-year veteran and first-team All-Pro in 2021, was released Wednesday.
De’Vondre Campbell could potentially fill in for Dre Greenlaw.
De’Vondre Campbell would be a good addition to the 49ers as they look for a replacement for Dre Greenlaw, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the Super Bowl and may not be fully available next season. Dre Greenlaw is dealing with an Achilles injury from the Super Bowl. The 49ers need a player who can start next to Fred Warner or be a rotational player off the bench, given the uncertainty around Dre Greenlaw's availability next season.
Campbell was signed by the Packers in 2021 for $2 million and later earned a five-year, $50 million contract for his All-Pro performance, but he was released for financial reasons. The Packers signed Campbell on a bargain deal for $2 million in 2021, but after his All-Pro performance, they gave him a five-year, $50 million contract, with the option to release him after the 2024 season.The Packers decided to cut Campbell due to his $14.4 million cap hit for the next season.
Campbell has missed 10 games in the past two seasons due to injury, but when healthy, he has been effective, playing in 81% of the Packers' snaps this year.
Campbell struggled with an ankle injury for half of last season and a knee injury that cost him four games the year before.
The 49ers are not counting on Campbell to play a full 17 games, hoping for Dre Greenlaw's return, but they recognize the possibility of not having Greenlaw available at all next season.
The 49ers are considering the possibility of having Campbell ready for the season opener, as well as the chance that Greenlaw may not be available for the entire 2024 season.
The 49ers have quietly made several changes to their defense recently, including the addition of edge rushers Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd, as well as interior lineman Jordan Elliott, while parting ways with Arik Armstead, Clelin Ferrell, and Chase Young.
It can be argued that, considering injuries, the 49ers have improved at every position with these moves.
However, finding a suitable replacement for the potentially absent Dre Greenlaw remains a challenge for the 49ers, particularly after Eric Kendricks' decision to join the Cowboys.
“Achilles injuries take time to heal, said GM John Lynch to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Maiocco. “Dre Greenlaw is a special athlete, so we hope for a faster recovery, but we have to be patient with an Achilles injury.
“You also need to be intelligent. And we will be.”