49ers’ linebacker unit more than just a Warner-Greenlaw reunion

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers traded their leading tackler to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason.

What in the name of Charles Haley were they thinking in dealing Dee Winters to Dallas?

A month before that draft-day trade, the 49ers brought back Dre Greenlaw to rekindle their ideal linebacker pairing with Fred Warner.

Warner, the NFL’s premier linebacker, is coming off right ankle injuries that dogged him the past two seasons.

The 49ers may have run out of healthy linebackers last season but this year looks fully stocked, hence Winters’ exit ahead of his contract year.

WARNER’S HEALTH

Warner declared himself fully healthy in April, three months after he nearly rushing back from a surgically repaired right ankle. That comeback would have been cleared if the 49ers upset Seattle and reached the NFC Championship Game.

Warner, if you’ll recall, battled through a right-ankle injury the final three months of the 2024 season. So getting him through this camp healthy and ready to play a full season is paramount. His leadership might be unmatched in the NFL.

GREENLAW 2.0

As sentimental as it is for Greenlaw to return after last season’s payday with the Denver Broncos, his health also will command a close eye and limited workload. But his presence will supercharge the defense, even more so if he indeed is the weak-side linebacker on the starting unit next to Warner.

“It’s unbelievable having him back. He’s a phenomenal player a brother of mine but a pure culture guy for our team,” Warner said in April. “His ability to elevate everybody around him is what’s really special about him. He’ll help the young guys and me and our defense get to where we want to go.”

BETHUNE AS LB3?

The 49ers’ vulnerability in coverage at strong-side linebacker could be a last-year problem. Luke Gifford was deployed there when he wasn’t earning Pro Bowl honors as a special teams ace. But that third-linebacker job figures to be changing under defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

The 49ers might be compelled to get Tatum Bethune back on the field, perhaps as the No. 3 linebacker, after his emergence as “Mike” replacement to Warner. Bethune started eight games before a high-ankle sprain kept him from the playoffs. Again, his health will have to be monitored in camp.

NICK MARTIN 2.0

A Week 13 concussion in Cleveland finished off Martin’s playing time in a surprisingly sedate rookie season from the third-round pick.

Martin played only 15 defensive snaps while buried on the depth chart and learning the system. Multiple missed tackles in the preseason opener proved a harbinger of rookie woes. Consistency in camp will be key as he competes with Garrett Wallow (wild-card playoff stud) and Jalen Graham to back up Greenlaw.

NEW-LOOK LINEBACKERS

Three tall, lean rookies could fit into the defensive front as either an edge rusher or coverage-dropping linebacker. Jaden Dugger (6-foot-5, 242 pounds) and Larry Worth III (6-4, 220) could fit that bill in five-man fronts, as could third-round pick Romello Height (6-3, 239) although the latter definitely will be counted on more as a pass rusher. The 49ers likely won’t fully reveal their intentions in camp or joint practices so any hint of it will be worth charting.