There has been a little debate surrounding who will start at the WILL linebacker spot this season for the San Francisco 49ers. Kwon Alexander got the nod ahead of Dre Greenlaw during Saturday's practice, the first of training camp.
The debate had come up because Greenlaw filled in when Alexander was injured last season and played well.
Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Saturday's practice via a video conference call and was asked about the potential competition at the spot. The discussion appears to be overblown as the coach doesn't really see it as a competition.
"We compete all the time, so no one just has a job set in stone," Shanahan explained. "But I don't see that as an open competition right now. We brought Kwon here for a reason. (He) did exactly what we wanted when he was out there and did even more than we anticipated from a leadership standpoint.
"Kwon's been great here. That's not to take anything away from Dre. He had a hell of a rookie year. The more he got his opportunities, the better he got. But we've got a few good guys there, and we see that as Kwon's job right now."
Both linebackers are entering their second seasons with San Francisco. The 49ers signed Alexander as a free agent and then drafted Greenlaw in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Why one 49ers insider isn't optimistic about Dre Greenlaw returning
By David Bonilla
Feb 24
Dre Greenlaw is a fan favorite known for his relentless intensity on the field. He's also beloved inside the San Francisco 49ers locker room. However, with the star linebacker set to hit free agency in a few weeks, his time in Santa Clara may be coming to an end.
Linebacker...
John Lynch talks 49ers futures of Greenlaw, Mason, Juszczyk, and Moody
By David Bonilla
Feb 26
Following his scheduled press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch sat down for a more intimate conversation with Bay Area reporters. With quarterback Brock Purdy expected to become one of the NFL's highest-paid...
49ers reporter would love to see Davante Adams in the Bay Area
By David Bonilla
Mar 3
If the San Francisco 49ers want to get younger this offseason, pursuing 32-year-old Davante Adams might not be the ideal strategy. The New York Jets are shopping Adams, but there's little chance that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan would trade for the...
Schefter believes 49ers open to trading Brandon Aiyuk or 'just about anybody'
By David Bonilla
13 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers made headlines over the weekend by agreeing to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. While the move results in a significant dead cap hit, it allows the team to move on from an expensive and seemingly declining player.
And the...