After losing linebacker Dre Greenlaw to free agency before the 2025 NFL season, the 49ers linebacking corps took a tough hit even before injuries took a toll.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pro Football Hall of Famer and legendary 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco on Thursday at Super Bowl Radio Row and provided his evaluation of the 49ers\u2019 linebackers this season. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst off, let me say, shoutout to coach Johnny Holland and K.J. Wright.\u00a0Everything they did this year, coaching those guys and having them ready each and every week,\u201d Willis said.\u00a0\u201cFred [Warner]<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0still All-Pro Fred. Had they won the [NFC Divisional] game, I feel like he was going to be ready to come back a week later.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey still got a middle linebacker\u00a0who\u2019s\u00a0right at his prime; still playing good football.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Fred Warner was off to a solid start to the 2025 season\u00a0before suffering a broken and dislocated ankle in Week 6<\/a>.\u00a0His injury obviously was a big blow to the defense, but it allowed other linebackers to get more opportunities on the field.\u00a0<\/p>\n Second-year linebacker\u00a0Tatum Bethune slid into Warner\u2019s place<\/a>. He recorded at least 10 total tackles in five straight games before he was sidelined by an injury himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor him to step in and get the football reps that he got, I think that was huge,\u201d Willis said. \u201cI think that\u00a0was huge for his development.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Sliding into Greenlaw\u2019s old spot beside Warner\u00a0at the start of the season\u00a0was third-year linebacker\u00a0Dee Winters<\/a>.\u00a0He started all 17 regular-season games, leading the 49ers with 67 solo tackles.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then you have Dee Winters. He\u00a0had a solid year,\u201d Willis noted. \u201cBut I think there\u2019s still much room for improvement on his behalf.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Rookie\u00a0linebacker\u00a0Nick Martin<\/a>, a third-round pick in last year\u2019s draft, saw limited playing time, playing just 15 defensive snaps in seven games all season before\u00a0being placed on injured reserve in December.\u00a0<\/p>\n