49ers' Dee Winters Racks Up 101 Tackles as Starter

Linebacker steps up in expanded role after teammate's departure to Denver

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Dee Winters, a third-year linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, recorded 101 tackles (67 solo) and an interception in 17 regular-season games in 2025. Winters took over the starting role vacated by Dre Greenlaw's departure to the Denver Broncos this past offseason, playing a career-high 1,010 snaps and cracking the century mark in combined tackles for IDP managers.

Why it matters

Winters' strong performance in an expanded starting role is a positive sign for the 49ers' defense, which will look to rebound after a disappointing 2025 season. His emergence could provide stability at the linebacker position as the team prepares for the 2026 campaign.

The details

Winters stepped up in a big way after Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers' starting linebacker, left the team in free agency to join the Denver Broncos. Winters played the most snaps of his career (1,010) and recorded 101 total tackles, 67 of them solo, along with one interception.

  • Winters recorded his 101 tackles and one interception during the 2025 regular season.

The players

Dee Winters

A third-year linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers who stepped up in an expanded starting role in 2025.

Dre Greenlaw

The 49ers' former starting linebacker who departed the team in free agency to join the Denver Broncos.

Fred Warner

The 49ers' starting middle linebacker who is expected to reclaim his spot in the defense in 2026 after recovering from an ankle injury.

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What’s next

With Fred Warner expected to return from injury in 2026, the 49ers will have a strong linebacker corps with Winters and Warner starting together.

The takeaway

Dee Winters' breakout 2025 season demonstrates the 49ers' ability to develop young talent and find contributors even after key departures. His performance provides optimism for the team's defensive outlook in the coming year.