De’Vondre Campbell was signed by the 49ers to serve as a stand-in as Dre Greenlaw recovered from surgery on his Achilles. The veteran starter didn’t make his season debut until Thursday, and that run lasted 13 games. However, Greenlaw did not survive his first game, which resulted in one of the most bizarre circumstances any club has faced this season.
During the 49ers’ 12–6 loss to the Rams, Campbell declined a fourth-quarter assignment to enter the game on defence and instead made his way to the locker room. Colleagues were clearly incensed by this, and Kyle Shanahan stated that Campbell is no longer with the team. However, it is not anticipated that the 49ers will waive the seasoned defender right away. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says a suspension is more likely to occur first.
The 49ers can recoup a portion of Campbell’s $3.35 million signing bonus if he is suspended. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, refusing to participate is a forfeitable breach of contract, which means San Francisco might pursue a portion of the prize. Campbell signed a one-year, $5 million contract in March after Eric Kendricks renounced his 49ers commitment to join the Cowboys, so this route will make it relatively expensive.
According to Florio, if the 49ers ban Campbell for one game, he would only lose $234K. Campbell’s contract spreads out the incentive over four empty years. That will restrict the 49ers’ options, but they are probably going to want to lower Campbell’s salary as much as they can. Additionally, this move will keep him from catching on elsewhere and recovering right away. Given the ire that Campbell’s reluctance to play generated in the locker room, it makes sense for the team to block a seamless departure in this case.
In San Francisco, and maybe as an NFL player in general, Campbell’s 31-year-old career would come to an embarrassing conclusion if he had to repay a portion of a bonus that had already been handed to him. During Shanahan’s second season as their head coach, the Falcons selected Campbell in the draft, allowing the current 49ers head coach to get to know a guy who had started for Atlanta, Arizona, and Green Bay. Following his 2021 first-team All-Pro season, Campbell was re-signed by the Packers to a five-year, $50 million contract.
Green Bay moved on this summer after Campbell completed the first two years of that contract. It wouldn’t be shocking if other teams declined to give the former second-round pick the chance to finish his career on a higher note, given how his time in San Francisco ended.