The 49ers linebacker confirmed he told former coach Sean Payton to leave the field after San Francisco beat Denver. Greenlaw made a team-high 12 tackles against his former club.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw confirmed that he confronted former coach Sean Payton after the 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-14. Greenlaw said he told Payton to get off the field and did not walk back the remark when speaking to reporters after the game.
Greenlaw played for Denver under Payton last season. He said their relationship deteriorated after the coach stopped speaking to him in Week 12 while he was dealing with a lingering injury. Greenlaw said Payton would walk past without looking at him.
Greenlaw was also upset with how the Broncos ended their relationship. He said Payton did not call him personally to say the team would release him. In 2025, Greenlaw played eight games for Denver and started seven, recording 43 tackles, one sack, one interception and a forced fumble. Injuries and a one-game suspension limited his time.
Payton declined to escalate the dispute after the game, saying he thinks highly of Greenlaw and respects his emotional style of play. Greenlaw finished with 12 tackles, leading San Francisco and recording his highest total of the season.
The 49ers improved to 4-0 and will visit defending Super Bowl champion Seattle next week at Lumen Field. Denver, now 2-2, is scheduled to play the winless Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.