Home
The San Francisco 49ers suffered a devastating 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, all but eliminating their chances of making the postseason. The team's already frustrating season was made even more perplexing by a bizarre incident involving linebacker De'Vondre Campbell.
San Francisco had signed Campbell during the offseason to help fill the void left by Dre Greenlaw, who was expected to miss most of the season due to an Achilles injury. On Thursday, Greenlaw made his return to the field, which led to Campbell being relegated to a backup role. When Campbell was called upon in the second half to replace Greenlaw on defense, he refused. Instead of stepping up, the 31-year-old linebacker chose to leave the sideline and head to the locker room.
While the exact reason for Campbell’s refusal remains unclear, it is likely linked to his benching in favor of Greenlaw, who was making his season debut after recovering from the Achilles injury.
Reactions from Former Players
The bizarre situation was addressed during the postgame show on Amazon Prime, where former NFL players, including Richard Sherman and Tony Gonzalez, voiced strong criticism of Campbell's actions. Both agreed that the 49ers should part ways with Campbell, emphasizing that quitting on your team is unacceptable in the NFL.
Sherman stated, "It's frustration, and you can kind of empathize with him to a degree, but you quit on your team. You can't do that in the National Football League." The discussion also included comparisons to infamous mid-game exits, such as Antonio Brown's departure with the Buccaneers and Vontae Davis’s mid-game retirement with the Bills.
49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan Responds
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the situation postgame, confirming that Campbell had said he didn’t want to play. Shanahan’s response was straightforward: “When someone says that, you move on. You don’t deal with that anymore. That’s somebody who doesn’t want to play football, that’s pretty simple.”
Shanahan made it clear that the team would no longer focus on Campbell’s actions. “I think our team and myself, we know how we feel about that. I don’t think we need to talk about him anymore,” he added.
49ers Players Weigh In
Cornerback Charvarius Ward weighed in on Campbell’s decision, describing it as “selfish” and suggesting that the linebacker’s time with the team was likely over. "For him to do that, that’s some selfish stuff to me in my opinion," Ward said. "He’s probably going to get cut soon, He could've told them that before the game. I feel like there was some sucker s*** that he did," he said.
49ers tight end George Kittle also shared his thoughts, calling the move "selfish." Kittle expressed disbelief over Campbell's actions, saying, "I just don't see how you could do something like that to your team."
De'Vondre Campbell’s Career Stats
Before Thursday’s incident, Campbell had been a key contributor for the 49ers throughout the 2024 season. He had played in all 13 games, starting 12, and was on the field for 90% of the team’s defensive snaps. Campbell had accumulated 79 tackles, including three tackles for loss.
Over his nine-year career, Campbell has played for the Falcons, Packers, and 49ers. He has appeared in 128 games and reached at least 90 tackles in six of those seasons.
What’s Next for Campbell and the 49ers?
Given the controversy surrounding his actions, Campbell’s future with the 49ers appears uncertain. The linebacker’s refusal to play in a crucial game, coupled with his benching after Greenlaw’s return, could lead to his release in the near future.
San Francisco's loss to the Rams not only hurt their playoff hopes but also highlighted deeper issues within the team, especially concerning player attitude and commitment. As the 49ers try to recover from a difficult season, the team will have to address Campbell’s actions and determine the best way forward.
