Greenlaw and Payton exchange words after 49ers beat Broncos

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-14 on Sunday as linebacker Dre Greenlaw recorded 12 tackles and exchanged words with his former coach, Broncos head coach Sean Payton. After the game, teammate Fred Warner held Greenlaw back as he approached Payton, according to reports. The substance of their exchanges has not been established. Greenlaw, who played his first six NFL seasons with San Francisco, joined Denver before the 2025 season and was released in March. Asked about his interaction with Payton after Sunday’s game, Greenlaw said he had not spoken to the coach for months, including while he was with the Broncos, and described the situation as “a lot.” He did not explain what had led to the distance between them. Payton said he thought highly of Greenlaw and that the two were “all good.” His comments did not clarify what was said during the sideline or postgame encounters. Accounts of the in-game exchange differ on whether Greenlaw’s words could be made out, and no specific wording has been established here. Greenlaw’s time in Denver was affected by injuries. Reports say he missed games during the 2025 season and was suspended for one game.