De'Vondre Campbell's visible frustration during last week's game against the Los Angeles Rams has raised questions about the atmosphere inside the San Francisco 49ers locker room. The team entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but now, with a playoff berth likely out of reach, their season is set to end in Week 18 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Campbell's frustration boiled over after losing his starting job to Dre Greenlaw, who returned from injury. When asked to enter last week's game, Campbell refused and was subsequently sent to the locker room.
On Monday, defensive end Nick Bosa shared that he noticed signs of Campbell's discontent before the game.
"In the locker room before the game, I heard some complaining," Bosa told reporters. "I was gonna say something. Didn't because I didn't want to create more of a distraction, but kind of felt it.
"So, yeah, I kind of saw the foreshadowing, and I definitely didn't think it was gonna result in that."
Bosa dismissed the idea that Campbell's actions reflected a broader problem within the locker room.
"This locker room's great," Bosa said with conviction. "It's always been great. But sometimes, when you bring somebody who's older in, and from a different place, you don't know.
"I mean, he was a good dude. It's not like I didn't like him. But, no, there's no issues in this locker room—very rarely."
The 49ers have suspended Campbell for three games, ending his time with the team while ensuring he cannot play for another organization this season. His decision to refuse to play and quit on his teammates may damage his future in the NFL.
"I'm sure he's gonna have a hard time finding somewhere else to go when you act like that," Bosa said.
He explained, "In the NFL, every opportunity to go on the field is your resume, so you're going to do your best for yourself and for the guy next to you."
Reflecting on the disappointing season, Bosa acknowledged that this is an unfamiliar situation for him. The 49ers will finish out the final three games knowing that a postseason trip is unlikely. The team missed the playoffs in 2020, but Bosa was sidelined with an injury.
The final three games will test the team's resolve and reveal which players are willing to fight until the end to finish the season strong.
"I think we have such confidence in the core group of guys here, and really everybody here right now, that whatever happens in these last three games is really going to be an important stepping stone into the offseason and into next year," Bosa added.