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Dre Greenlaw and Deebo Samuel used same motivation to help 49ers past Broncos

The San Francisco 49ers secured a hard-fought 24–14 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 4, and two key players—Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw—played pivotal roles after returning to the team this season. Both had left the 49ers in 2025, with Greenlaw joining Denver as a free agent and Samuel being traded to the Washington Commanders, but neither move worked out.

Their reunion with San Francisco proved timely, as their physicality and intensity helped turn the tide in a physically demanding game that hinged on a special-teams play by Siran Neal in the third quarter.

Greenlaw’s motivation was personal, fueled by his release by the Broncos earlier this year after a troubled 2025 season that included a high-profile Achilles injury during Super Bowl 58. He dominated his former team, recording 12 tackles, forcing a fumble, and pressuring the quarterback while openly taunting Broncos head coach Sean Payton.

Shanahan acknowledged Greenlaw’s emotional edge but praised his ability to channel it without costly penalties, calling his performance “unbelievable” and a key factor in the 49ers’ early-season success.

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