GREENLAW SAYS HE TOLD PAYTON TO LEAVE FIELD AFTER 49ERS WIN

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw said he confronted Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton after Sunday's game, telling him to leave the field. Video showed Greenlaw shouting in Payton's direction while being steered away by team-mate Fred Warner. Greenlaw said he told Payton, "Get the f—k off the field." The exchange followed a tackle Greenlaw made near the Denver sideline in the first quarter, during which he gestured towards Payton. The 49ers won the game, which took place during the current NFL season.

Greenlaw said his anger towards Payton stemmed from his time with the Broncos last season. He signed a three-year contract with Denver before the 2025 season but missed games because of a quad injury and a suspension before the team released him in March. Greenlaw said Payton did not speak to him in the final weeks of last season and that he was not informed of his release in person, which he described as disrespect. He said this lack of direct communication added to his motivation for Sunday's game.

Payton addressed the exchange in his post-game press conference, saying he told 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan that he thinks highly of Greenlaw. Greenlaw's comments, reported after the match, suggested the feeling was not reciprocated on his side. Neither Payton nor the Broncos organisation issued further comment on the specifics of Greenlaw's release in March. No disciplinary action arising from the on-field or post-match exchange was reported.