"I told Dre, 'Don't you worry about that,'" Lynch shared during the KNBR interview. "Usually, the flow with the Pro Bowl is the first year you really should make it, you often don't. But you send notice around the league, and I promise you, if Dre keeps playing like this, the Pro Bowl is going to be the least of his accolades. I mean, he is playing some tremendous football.
"Obviously, Christian McCaffrey, his play speaks for itself. We're a completely different team on offense since he's been here. I thought Christian should have been a part of that team."
On Thursday afternoon, head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that he doesn't like to make a big deal with his team about the Pro Bowl announcements. He doesn't address them in a team meeting because he doesn't want to do so in front of those who missed out.
"I think there's a number of guys who should have been in there who weren't," Shanahan said.
Such as who, specifically?
"Such as Greenlaw, without a doubt, because I didn't see him anywhere," Shanahan responded. "And I truly believe Christian would have been a starter. I'm not sure what the list is, but I know he wasn't, and that surprised me. But Greenlaw was the biggest [surprise] to me."
Greenlaw has racked up an interception, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown to go along with the linebacker's team-leading 111 tackles. His 86.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus is the best among all 49ers linebackers this season, including Fred Warner, who was selected to his second Pro Bowl. Greenlaw's grade also ranks second among all NFL linebackers (Bobby Wagner, Rams, 90.5).
The only 49ers defender with a better overall grade than Greenlaw is NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Nick Bosa (90.2).
How does Shanahan access Greenlaw's play this season?
"I think he's had a Pro Bowl year," the coach responded. "I think he's been great. I think he's played at that level, always, when he's played for us. He missed a little bit this year, not much, been able to stay healthy, fought through some injuries early on. When he's been playing healthy, I think he's played as good as anyone in this league."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Notebook: Kyle Shanahan reaches a coaching milestone... How much longer will he coach? Dre Greenlaw's revenge; Deebo steps up
What started out as a somewhat uneventful game between the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos on Sunday wound up giving fans a thrill in the end, while providing plenty to discuss in the process. The game meandered its way to a 3-3 halftime tie and stayed that way well... -
Kyle Shanahan declares how Dre Greenlaw has energized 49ers
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has never hidden his appreciation for Dre Greenlaw. But the linebacker brings something to the defense that goes beyond his ability to make plays. Greenlaw's aggressive style has a way of bringing his teammates along with him, and... -
49ers' Mike Evans remains game-time decision; Dre Greenlaw expected to play vs. Broncos
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans remains a game-time decision. He will go through a pre-game workout to see if he can suit up for the Week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium. "Mike Evans is going to do... -
49ers vs. Seahawks: Dre Greenlaw ejected from the game
The San Francisco 49ers will be without linebacker Dre Greenlaw for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks after he was ejected in the second quarter for headbutting Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV on the sideline. Greenlaw wore his helmet, while Jones...