De’Vondre Campbell’s Future with the 49ers in Jeopardy After Controversial Decision
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are making headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is at the center of the storm. After refusing to play in Thursday night’s 24-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Campbell has likely played his last snap for the team. Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t mince words on Friday, making it clear that Campbell’s actions were unacceptable and that the team is working on how to part ways with the linebacker.
“We’re working through the semantics of exactly how to deal with it,” Shanahan said. “But I mean, you guys heard from me last night, you guys heard from our players—his actions from the game, it’s not something you can do to your team or your teammates and still get to be a part of our team. We’re working through exactly the semantics of it right now, but we’ll handle the situation appropriately.”
Locker Room Fallout
Campbell’s decision to sit out didn’t just frustrate Shanahan—it also angered his teammates. Cornerback Charvarius Ward didn’t hold back, saying Campbell is “probably going to get cut soon.” While the 49ers haven’t officially announced how they’ll handle the situation, Shanahan confirmed that Campbell won’t be with the team for Week 16 and beyond.
So, what are the options? The most straightforward move would be to release Campbell outright, making him an unrestricted free agent. However, the team could also explore suspending him without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. Either way, Campbell’s days in San Francisco appear to be numbered.
Campbell’s Role and the Bigger Picture
Campbell joined the 49ers in March on a one-year, $5 million deal. At the time, the team saw him as a temporary replacement for Dre Greenlaw, who was recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Super Bowl LVIII. Campbell started 12 games this season, playing 90% of the defensive snaps and recording 79 tackles, including three for loss and two passes defended. While his performance had its ups and downs, Shanahan noted that Campbell improved as the season progressed.
“We were needing a starting-caliber linebacker to fill in for Dre until he could get back,” Shanahan explained. “I thought he had some ups and downs throughout the year. I thought he started off slow. I thought he got more used to our defense and how we expected people to play, and I thought he improved throughout the year.”
The Breaking Point
Greenlaw made his return to the lineup on Thursday night, providing an immediate boost to the 49ers’ defense. The unit held the Rams without a first down in the first quarter and allowed just three points in the first half. However, Greenlaw began experiencing knee soreness in the third quarter, prompting the coaching staff to ask Campbell to step in. That’s when things took a dramatic turn.
According to Shanahan, Campbell had already refused to enter the game earlier in the second quarter when strong-side linebacker Dee Winters left with a neck injury. Instead, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles filled in for Winters. When Greenlaw’s knee flared up in the third quarter, Shanahan personally addressed Campbell, only to find him “distant from everyone.”
“I didn’t notice until the third quarter when Dre came out and Dee went in, and then I got on the defensive headset and asked what was going on,” Shanahan said. “And then the coaches told me, and then I addressed De’Vondre and found out. It was pretty simple to see how he was, and then we moved on with our life after that.”
Campbell was later seen walking to the locker room during the fourth quarter, a moment captured on the television broadcast. Shanahan clarified that he didn’t instruct Campbell to leave but had already shifted his focus to players he could rely on.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
With Campbell on his way out, the 49ers may need to add another linebacker to their roster. Shanahan said that both Greenlaw (knee soreness) and Winters (neck) will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis as the team prepares for its next game. Assuming Greenlaw recovers, he’ll resume his starting role, but the team’s depth at linebacker remains a concern.
As for Greenlaw, he didn’t seem too fazed by the Campbell drama. “He didn’t want to play,” Greenlaw said after the game. “I guess if he didn’t want to play, you ain’t gotta play. So, he didn’t want to play.”
Key Takeaways
- De’Vondre Campbell refused to play in Thursday night’s game against the Rams, sparking outrage from the 49ers’ coaching staff and players.
- Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Campbell will not be with the team moving forward, though the exact method of his departure is still being determined.
- Campbell’s refusal to play came at a critical moment when the team needed depth due to injuries to Dre Greenlaw and Dee Winters.
- The 49ers may need to add another linebacker to their roster as they prepare for Week 16.
It’s a messy situation for a team with playoff aspirations, and the fallout from Campbell’s decision will likely linger for weeks to come. Stay tuned as the 49ers navigate this unexpected drama.
Originally Written by: Nick Wagoner
