Sean Payton Responds to Dre Greenlaw's Sideline Confrontation

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed the sideline confrontation with San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw during the 49ers' 24-14 victory over Denver on Sunday.

Greenlaw, who spent one season with the Broncos after signing a three-year, $31.5 million deal, was released by the team after the 2025 season. The linebacker expressed his lingering resentment towards Payton, stating that the coach did not inform him directly of his release.

"He couldn’t be man to man and call my phone and say, ‘We’re going to cut you,'" Greenlaw told the San Francisco Chronicle. Instead, Greenlaw's agent conveyed the news of his departure from the Broncos.

Payton, who had recruited Greenlaw to Denver for the 2025 season, commented on the linebacker's emotional play. "I said this to Kyle [Shanahan] afterwards, I think the world of him. I love everything about him. He plays with that emotion," Payton said when asked about the feud.

Following the 49ers' win, Greenlaw was heard yelling at Payton, "Hey! You get the f-ck off my field!" The linebacker's strong reaction indicates he has not forgotten his brief tenure with the Broncos or the circumstances of his departure.

Greenlaw played in only eight games during his single season with Denver after sustaining an injury. He had previously spent his first six NFL seasons with the 49ers before joining the Broncos.