Kyle Shanahan shocked by Dre Greenlaw absence from Pro Bowl ‘He’s played as good as anyone’
Dec 23, 2022, 11:03 AM
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Every year there are a few omissions from the Pro Bowl games that get fans riled up. This year is no different with San Francisco 49er fans incensed that linebacker Dre Greenlaw didn’t crack the list in 2022.
A player leading the league’s best defense in the NFL with 111 tackles, Greenlaw’s ascension hasn’t been surprising for his team. The only thing surprising is the lack of recognition the 25-year-old Arkansas alum has had to endure. And none are more surprised than his head coach Kyle Shanahan, uncertain of why his second-best linebacker isn’t getting his flowers this season.
“Such as [LB Dre] Greenlaw,” Shanahan said when asked who should have made the honors list. “Without a doubt, because I didn’t see him anywhere and I truly believe [RB] Christian [McCaffrey] would’ve been a starter. I’m not sure what the list is, but I know he was one that surprised me, but Greenlaw’s the biggest one to me.”
Trent Williams on Christian McCaffrey and Dre Greenlaw's Pro Bowl snubs 🔽 pic.twitter.com/3NUkAvdC0f
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) December 23, 2022
Pro Bowl voting is a tricky one, with players and coaches preferring to focus on linebackers that rush the quarterback this year. That’s why players like Haason Reddick and Za’Darius Smith got the nod over Greenlaw, more sacks. The 49ers LB has registered zero sacks on the season because of the scheme they run, while the Eagles and Vikings use OLBs to in pass rush.
Regardless of the scheme, to not even make the alternates list feels like a slap in the face for Shanahan.
“I think he’s had a Pro Bowl year. I think he’s been great. I think he’s played at that level, always when he is played for us and missed a little bit this year, not much, has been able to stay healthy. He fought through some injuries early on and when he has been playing healthy, I think he’s played as good as anyone in this league,” Shanahan stated.
Missing only one game this season, Greenlaw’s biggest leap has been his availability for the 49ers in 2022. Last year he only featured in three games due a groin strain that lingered on for elite season. That’s been the difference for Shanahan and the coaching staff, the talent has always been there, he just needed to be on the field to showcase it.
“Being healthy. I think I’ve stated it a few times, but the last game of the year the game versus the Rams when it was an elimination game, when it was our season would be over or go to the playoffs, that was one of the best games I’ve seen a linebacker have. And to play at that level after not playing throughout the year, continuing in the playoffs, but just to really build his body up the whole right way throughout the offseason to get it fully healthy, to go through some of the stuff that he had to, to train the right way, to practice the right way and not lose his aggression, to not change who he is and to figure out how to get his body to be able to handle it to me is why he is reaping the benefits now.”
Click here for Kyle Shanahan’s full presser
