Dre Greenlaw released by Broncos, cites unhappiness in Denver

Former 49ers linebacker opens up about injury-plagued 2025 season

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:13am by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player's movements broken down into overlapping planes of muted earth tones, conceptually representing the difficulties of adapting to a new team.The release of linebacker Dre Greenlaw from the Denver Broncos reveals the complex challenges professional athletes can face when transitioning to new teams.San Francisco Today

Dre Greenlaw, a former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, has been released by the Denver Broncos. In a recent interview, Greenlaw expressed that he 'wasn't happy' during his time in Denver and discussed the challenges he faced due to injuries throughout the 2025 season.

Why it matters

Greenlaw was a key defensive player for the 49ers before signing with the Broncos as a free agent. His release and comments about his unhappiness in Denver provide insight into the challenges professional athletes can face when transitioning to new teams, especially when dealing with injuries.

The details

Greenlaw, a 26-year-old linebacker, was released by the Broncos after just one season with the team. In the interview, he revealed that he struggled with various injuries throughout the 2025 campaign, which contributed to his overall dissatisfaction with his time in Denver. Greenlaw did not elaborate on the specific nature of his injuries or the reasons behind his unhappiness with the Broncos organization.

  • Greenlaw was released by the Broncos in April 2026.
  • Greenlaw played the 2025 season with the Broncos after signing with the team as a free agent.

The players

Dre Greenlaw

A 26-year-old linebacker who was released by the Denver Broncos after one season with the team.

Denver Broncos

An NFL team based in Denver, Colorado that released Dre Greenlaw in 2026.

San Francisco 49ers

The NFL team Dre Greenlaw previously played for before signing with the Broncos as a free agent.

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What they’re saying

“I just wasn't happy in Denver. The injuries really took a toll on me and my performance, and it just wasn't the right fit.”

— Dre Greenlaw

The takeaway

Greenlaw's release and comments about his unhappiness in Denver highlight the challenges professional athletes can face when transitioning to new teams, especially when dealing with injuries. This situation provides a reminder that even successful players can struggle to find the right fit, both in terms of team culture and their own physical and mental well-being.