Dre Greenlaw spent one season with the Denver Broncos and walked away with a grudge. On Sunday, he made sure Sean Payton knew exactly what he thought of it.
Greenlaw, a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, faced his former team in a home game and dominated. After San Fran’s 24-14 win, Greenlaw said something to Payton that was blunt by NFL standards. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Greenlaw told Payton, “Hey! You get the f-ck off my field!”
He did not try to soften it afterward. When asked about the exchange, Greenlaw confirmed every word.
“I told him to get the f–k off the field,” Greenlaw said. “That’s it: ‘Get the f–k off the field.'”
What Went Wrong in Denver
Greenlaw signed a three-year, $35 million contract with the Broncos ahead of the 2025 season. In his one year there, he played in eight games and started seven. His absence came from a one-game suspension and injuries.
Those injuries, Greenlaw said, ended his working relationship with Payton. He said Payton stopped talking to him in Week 12 because of the lingering injury.
“He definitely was, for sure,” Greenlaw said when asked if he thought Payton was ignoring him because the head coach was frustrated on Denver’s return on their investment. “He would walk by – I would walk by – and he wouldn’t even look at me because of my injury. So I just knew what it was (with him) there.”
Greenlaw said he had not spoken to Payton “in months,” dating back to when he was still on the team.
“It’s just a lot,” Greenlaw said.
The Premature Release
Greenlaw also pointed to how he was let go as another sore point. He said the Broncos cut him without a direct call.
“The disrespect,” Greenlaw said regarding his motivation for Sunday’s comments. “He couldn’t be man-to-man and call my phone and say, ‘We’re going to cut you.'”
Payton was asked about the two exchanges and kept his answer neutral.
“I think the world of him. I love everything about him,” Payton said. “He plays with that emotion and so, all good.”
A Dominating Performance
Greenlaw put his frustration into action on the field. He led the team with 12 tackles, his most so far this season.
In 2025, he had 43 total tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, plus an interception. He finished with four tackles in the divisional win over the Buffalo Bills and six tackles in the AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots, which ended up being his last game in orange.
Where Both Teams Stand Now
The 49ers are 4-0 and will face the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field next week. The Broncos are 2-2 and will face the winless Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium next week.
Key Facts Box
- Greenlaw’s contract: three years, $35 million with the Broncos
- Games played in 2025: eight, seven starts
- Sunday’s result: 49ers 24, Broncos 14
- Greenlaw’s tackles in Sunday’s game: 12
- Greenlaw’s career stats in 2025: 43 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception
- 49ers record: 4-0
- Broncos record: 2-2
Greenlaw’s comments were not a shot at the game. They were a shot at the man who let him go.
Greenlaw said what he meant, and the 49ers won the game. Payton answered with platitudes, which is the standard response when a player speaks this plainly.
Source material: “Fueled by Sean Payton's 'disrespect,' 49ers' Dre Greenlaw dominates Broncos and lets former coach know,” CBS Sports.
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