"I told Dre, 'Don't you worry about that,'" Lynch shared during the KNBR interview. "Usually, the flow with the Pro Bowl is the first year you really should make it, you often don't. But you send notice around the league, and I promise you, if Dre keeps playing like this, the Pro Bowl is going to be the least of his accolades. I mean, he is playing some tremendous football.
"Obviously, Christian McCaffrey, his play speaks for itself. We're a completely different team on offense since he's been here. I thought Christian should have been a part of that team."
On Thursday afternoon, head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that he doesn't like to make a big deal with his team about the Pro Bowl announcements. He doesn't address them in a team meeting because he doesn't want to do so in front of those who missed out.
"I think there's a number of guys who should have been in there who weren't," Shanahan said.
Such as who, specifically?
"Such as Greenlaw, without a doubt, because I didn't see him anywhere," Shanahan responded. "And I truly believe Christian would have been a starter. I'm not sure what the list is, but I know he wasn't, and that surprised me. But Greenlaw was the biggest [surprise] to me."
Greenlaw has racked up an interception, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown to go along with the linebacker's team-leading 111 tackles. His 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus is the best among all 49ers linebackers this season, including Fred Warner, who was selected to his second Pro Bowl. Greenlaw's grade also ranks second among all NFL linebackers (Bobby Wagner, Rams, 90.5).
The only 49ers defender with a better overall grade than Greenlaw is NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Nick Bosa (90.2).
How does Shanahan access Greenlaw's play this season?
"I think he's had a Pro Bowl year," the coach responded. "I think he's been great. I think he's played at that level, always, when he's played for us. He missed a little bit this year, not much, been able to stay healthy, fought through some injuries early on. When he's been playing healthy, I think he's played as good as anyone in this league."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan delivers tough 49ers O-line and Dre Greenlaw injury news
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters during a Monday conference call, delivering multiple injury updates that could significantly impact the team in these final two games of the season. The offensive line suffered setbacks during Sunday's game... -
49ers shutting down Dre Greenlaw for the remainder of the season
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who recently returned from an Achilles injury, will not play again this season. Shanahan shared the update with reporters ahead of Thursday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 17... -
49ers place Dre Greenlaw on IR, announce O-line signing
The San Francisco 49ers have announced that linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been placed on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the team has added offensive lineman Zack Johnson to the practice squad. Greenlaw appeared in two games following his recovery from a torn Achilles... -
Kyle Shanahan shares honest thoughts on 49ers kicker Jake Moody's future
Jake Moody's performance this season has been a frustrating storyline for many San Francisco 49ers fans. The second-year kicker has struggled, missing seven of his 30 attempts, including six in the past seven games since returning from a high-ankle sprain. Following Moody's...