Sources: Greenlaw back to 49ers after year away

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is returning to the San Francisco 49ers, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract, after leaving last year in free agency, a source told ESPN's Nick Wagoner.

NFL Network reports the deal is for $7.5 million.

Greenlaw spent his first five seasons with the 49ers before signing a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos last year. Denver, however, released Greenlaw this week.

Greenlaw, 28, finished his lone season with the Broncos with 43 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in eight games. He also had 10 tackles in two playoff games.

The Broncos signed Greenlaw with the hope that he would add some physicality to a defense that had some difficulty limiting opponents' explosive runs in the 2024 season. But he missed the offseason program and the Broncos' first six games of the season because of thigh injuries.

He was also suspended for a game -- the Broncos' Oct. 26 win over the Dallas Cowboys -- because of a postgame confrontation with referee Brad Allen after the Broncos' win over the New York Giants. At the time, the NFL said Greenlaw "chased after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him as he tried to leave the field.''

Greenlaw has 498 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions in his career.

ESPN's Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.