The 49ers signed De’Vondre Campbell to work as a stopgap throughout Dre Greenlaw‘s restoration from Achilles surgical procedure. That run lasted 13 video games, with Greenlaw not making his season debut till Thursday. However Greenlaw didn’t make it by way of his opener unscathed, resulting in one of many stranger conditions any workforce has encountered this season.
Campbell refused a fourth-quarter task to return in on protection, as an alternative walking to the 49ers’ locker room during the workforce’s 12-6 loss to the Rams. This clearly angered teammates, and Kyle Shanahan confirmed Campbell is finished with the workforce. The 49ers, nevertheless, are usually not anticipated to waive the veteran defender instantly. As a substitute, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicates a suspension will probably come first.
If the 49ers droop Campbell, they’ll get well a part of his $3.35M signing bonus. A refusal to play constitutes a forfeitable breach of contract, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes, opening the door to San Francisco going after a part of the bonus. This avenue will make it considerably pricey for Campbell, who signed a one-year, $5M deal in March — after Eric Kendricks backtracked on a 49ers commitment to join the Cowboys.
This motion would solely result in Campbell dropping $234K, per Florio, ought to the 49ers ban him for one recreation. 4 void years are included in Campbell’s contract, spreading out the bonus. That may restrict what the 49ers can go after, however they give the impression of being more likely to do what is feasible to scale back Campbell’s compensation. This transfer may even forestall him from catching on elsewhere and bouncing again instantly. Contemplating the anger Campbell’s refusal to play triggered within the locker room, the workforce stopping a clean exit is smart.
Campbell having to pay again a portion of a bonus already despatched to him would mark an ignominious ending for him in San Francisco — and maybe as an NFLer altogether. The Falcons drafted Campbell throughout Shanahan’s second season as their OC, giving the present 49ers HC some familiarity with a participant who had began for Atlanta, Arizona and Inexperienced Bay. The Packers re-signed Campbell to a five-year, $50M deal after his first-team All-Professional season in 2021.
Campbell made it by way of two years of that contract earlier than Inexperienced Bay moved on this offseason. Contemplating the way in which it ended for him in San Francisco, it will not be a shock if different groups go on permitting the previous fourth-rounder the chance to finish his profession on a greater word.
