In a stunning turn of events, Dee Winters, the San Francisco 49ers’ third-year linebacker, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace the departed Dre Greenlaw as the team’s starting weakside linebacker, sending shockwaves through the NFL. With Greenlaw now in Denver after signing as a free agent, the 49ers faced a daunting challenge to fill the void left by one of their defensive cornerstones. However, Winters’ electrifying performance during the opening days of the 2025 training camp has positioned him as the clear favorite, and his ascent could reshape the landscape of the 49ers’ defense—and the league itself.
A Star in the Making
Dee Winters, a 2023 sixth-round draft pick out of TCU, has long been viewed as a player with immense potential but limited opportunities. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 227 pounds, Winters shares a strikingly similar build to Greenlaw, boasting the speed and agility to roam sideline-to-sideline as a playmaker. His athleticism was on full display during Day 1 of training camp when he intercepted a pass from quarterback Brock Purdy, showcasing his instincts and ability to read the offense.
Winters’ rise is no fluke. Teammate and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has been vocal about his confidence in the young linebacker, noting, “I’ve seen a lot of growth, honestly. I’ve seen a guy who’s ready to take that next step. Dee has flashed in a big way through his first two seasons, and I think Year 3 is that year where it’s like, ‘Man, I know the system, I know what I need to do in the offseason, and now it’s time for me to take control and really put it on tape.’”
Learning from the Best
While Winters is determined to carve out his own legacy, he acknowledges the influence of Greenlaw, who served as a mentor during his first two seasons. “Man, he was a great example of how to play the ‘will’ (weakside) linebacker,” Winters said. “Downhill, fast, and can cover. He can do it all, and that’s something I need to keep in my game moving forward.”
Winters’ ability to learn from Greenlaw’s aggressive, versatile style has clearly paid dividends. During the 2024 season, despite being hampered by ankle, neck, and concussion injuries, Winters played 398 snaps and showed flashes of brilliance, including a standout performance against DK Metcalf, where he blanketed the elite receiver for 25 yards before breaking up a pass.
Beating Out the Competition
The 49ers bolstered their linebacker room in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Nick Martin in the third round, a player many believed was drafted to compete for Greenlaw’s former role. Martin, with his own impressive athletic profile and a 4.53-second 40-yard dash, was seen as a potential challenger. However, early indications from training camp suggest Winters has seized the opportunity, earning first-team reps and praise from coaches and teammates alike.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has expressed optimism about Winters’ progress, stating, “I just think he has his best opportunity right now. He had a decent one last year, but we were always hoping that Dre could come back. Dee did make a ton of progress last year, and he started to take over that job and he had a number of setbacks with injuries.” Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of playing time for Winters’ development: “He’s got a cool chance. It feels like every day he’s learning something through repetition.”
A New Era for the 49ers’ Defense
The departure of Greenlaw, described by tight end George Kittle as “one of one, one of the best players I’ve ever played with,” left a gaping hole in the 49ers’ defense. Greenlaw’s relentless energy and playmaking ability were integral to the team’s success, and his absence was keenly felt during a disappointing 6-11 season in 2024.
Winters, however, is poised to bring his own brand of intensity to the role. His high school background as a wide receiver and college experience as a safety before transitioning to linebacker give him a unique skill set, blending speed, coverage ability, and physicality. His interception of Purdy and strong showings in coverage drills against players like Christian McCaffrey highlight his potential to be a game-changer.
Tremors Across the NFL
Winters’ emergence could have far-reaching implications for the 49ers and the NFL. A successful transition to the starting weakside linebacker role alongside Fred Warner would stabilize a defense looking to rebound from a lackluster 2024 campaign. With Warner’s elite playmaking and Winters’ burgeoning talent, the 49ers could once again boast one of the league’s most formidable linebacker duos.
Moreover, Winters’ rise serves as a reminder of the 49ers’ knack for developing late-round draft picks into impact players. If he continues to perform at this level, Winters could not only secure the starting job but also earn consideration for a contract extension, following in the footsteps of Greenlaw’s two-year, $16.4 million deal in 2022.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Dee Winters to see if he can sustain his early momentum. If his training camp performance is any indication, the NFL should brace for a new defensive force in San Francisco—one that’s ready to send tremors through the league.