The San Francisco 49ers remained undefeated Sunday, picking up a big 24-14 win over the Denver Broncos. It’s safe to say no one celebrated that victory more than 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
The 29-year-old admitted he took the contest personally after spending an injury-riddled 2025 season with the Broncos and head coach Sean Payton. While Greenlaw said he harbored no ill will toward his former Broncos teammates, Payton was a different story.
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Greenlaw made no attempt to hide that during the contest. After a particular play near the Broncos’ sideline, Greenlaw appeared to point at and exchange words with Payton.
Things escalated after the game, when it appeared Greenlaw had to be dragged away by Fred Warner after taunting Payton at midfield.
Warning: Video may contain some NSFW language.
Greenlaw explained his actions after the contest, and revealed what he told Payton in the above clip. Greenlaw said he told Payton to “get the f*** off the field” after the 49ers’ win, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“I told him to get the f*** off the field,” Greenlaw said. “That’s it: ‘Get the f*** off the field.'”
The linebacker also explained why the game meant so much to him. Greenlaw said it stemmed from how he was treated by Payton during an injury-riddled 2025 season. Greenlaw said it reached a point where Payton wouldn’t interact with Greenlaw while he was out.
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When it came time for the Broncos to move forward without Greenlaw, the linebacker said he received that news from his agent. Greenlaw called it “disrespectful” that Payton wasn’t the one to deliver that message to the linebacker.
After spending his entire career with the 49ers, Greenlaw signed a three-year, $35 million deal with the Broncos for the 2025 NFL season. He missed time early in the year with a quad injury and also missed time late in the season with a hamstring issue. He was released by the team after just one season.
Greenlaw apparently took out all his frustations on Payton during the contest, as the linebacker led the 49ers with 12 tackles — seven solo. He also forced a fumble in the victory.
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