General manager John Lynch recognizes Dre Greenlaw's significant impact on the San Francisco 49ers defense. Despite the disappointing outcome, the linebacker provided a noticeable boost to the unit last week against the Los Angeles Rams. It marked Greenlaw's first game in 10 months following his recovery from a torn Achilles suffered during the Super Bowl.
Greenlaw is among several players set to become free agents after the season. However, the linebacker is focused on closing the season strong, starting with Sunday's matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
"Honestly, the only thing that goes to my mind is whooping Miami ass, and just going to go do it with my brothers, having fun, and enjoying the game," Greenlaw said this week.
On Friday morning, Lynch joined Bay Area radio station KNBR and expressed his desire to ensure Greenlaw remains a part of the 49ers' future.
"We love Dre, and we're interested in keeping him here for a long time," Lynch said. "He's a special player, so we'll let that take care of itself as time progresses here."
Lynch also commented on Greenlaw's seamless return to the field after such a lengthy layoff.
"It's really a tough thing to come off not playing football for a long time and make it look like you haven't lost a step, a beat," Lynch noted. "It usually takes a little while."
Despite exiting in the third quarter, Greenlaw tallied eight tackles in the low-scoring loss to the Rams. His impact was felt throughout the game.
"Dre just has that ability," Lynch continued. "But he's good anytime he's on the field. But even the great players, that's a tough thing for them to do. That's why you need training camp, offseasons. I'm not saying that Dre doesn't need those, but he has an ability to step right back in and make it look like he has not lost a beat. And it's just because he's a football player. It's like, somebody has the ball, he's going to find that ball."
Lynch praised Greenlaw's quickness, explosiveness, intensity, and authentic passion for the game.
"When he starts hitting his own face mask, I know it's on, and that other team better watch out," Lynch added. "And [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] likes to call him 'Tyson' because his movements are kind of similar to those of [Mike] Tyson, and it inspires people around him, and I think it scares the hell out of the other team."
You can listen to Lynch's entire interview below.
