After working his way back from Achilles surgery, linebacker Dre Greenlaw has played himself into commanding a much larger contract than anticipated.

It is important for the San Francisco 49ers to bring back Greenlaw to an already limited linebacker room … but Greenlaw’s new price may not be in the budget.

SI writes: “The San Francisco 49ers would like to keep Dre Greenlaw-but there’s some doubt they’ll be able to since he played well enough in limited action coming back from a torn Achilles to drum up a real market.”

If you’re looking for a comparable number, linebacker Derrick Barnes’ new deal with the Detroit Lions (three years, $25.5 million) may be a good match.

With the injury concern, it’s expected the 49ers will offer a one-year “prove it” deal for Greenlaw. … and that contradiction should raise some Dallas eyebrows.

SI is saying that Greenlaw is “going to drum up a real market” .. and he might get a prove-it deal?

Which is it.

Surely if bigger budgets come calling, don’t be surprised if he finds a new home this offseason.

One prime contender is the Dallas Cowboys.
Also with a questionable shakeup in their linebacker unit, Dallas may look to pursue Greenlaw as insurance to combat DeMarvion Overshown (injury) and Eric Kendricks (free agent) uncertainty.

The Cowboys also have plenty of spending money after restructuring Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contracts.

Greenlaw was productive in his two games played in 2024. He finished the season with nine total tackles upon his return from a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.

For San Francisco, the position is now a top priority for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the 49ers – likely in the NFL Draft.

Saleh was responsible for drafting Greenlaw. He now hopes he can find another formidable linebacker to be his potential replacement.

Meanwhile, new Dallas special-teams coordinator Nick Sorensen was Greenlaw’s defensive coach last year with the Niners – so there is a connection there as well.