Will 49ers cut De’Vondre Campbell after his refusal to play against LA Rams?

The San Francisco 49ers have found themselves in an unusual predicament, one that even seasoned fans might struggle to recall. De’Vondre Campbell, a veteran linebacker and key presence on the team’s defense this season, refused to take the field during a critical moment in their Thursday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. It was a move that left coaches, teammates, and fans stunned — and it could well cost him dearly.

Campbell’s refusal came during the third quarter of a tight game, just when the 49ers needed all hands on deck. The reason isn’t exactly clear but many point to the return of Dre Greenlaw having a major influence. Fresh off recovery from an Achilles injury, Greenlaw had pushed Campbell into a reduced role and had started the game strong. But when he left in the second half for precautionary reasons, the coaching staff turned to Campbell to fill the gap. Instead, he told them he wouldn’t go in and disappeared into the locker room.

Shanahan and others react to Campbell refusal

Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t mince words when addressing the incident after the game. “That’s somebody who doesn’t want to play football,” Shanahan said. “It’s pretty simple. I think our team and myself, we know how we feel about that. I don’t think we need to talk about him anymore.”

For Shanahan, who has seen his share of locker room drama, Campbell’s refusal to play was unprecedented. “I’ve never had a player tell me they didn’t want to play,” he said, visibly frustrated. Asked if Campbell’s actions would result in his release, Shanahan hinted at tough decisions ahead: “We’ll figure something out.”

Campbell’s actions didn’t just irk the coaching staff — they reverberated throughout the locker room. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, known for his blunt honesty, didn’t hold back: “If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed out. That was some sucker shit. It hurt the team.” Ward’s frustration stemmed from the team’s dwindling linebacker options, with backups Dee Winters and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles also dealing with injuries.

Tight end George Kittle added to the chorus of disapproval. “It’s just dumb. It’s stupid. It’s very immature,” he said. “I’ve never been around anybody that’s done that, and I hope I’m never around anyone that does that again.”

Infamous NFL exits of the past

Campbell’s refusal to play drew inevitable comparisons to other infamous NFL incidents. Fans recalled Vontae Davis, the Buffalo Bills cornerback who abruptly retired at halftime of a 2018 game, and Antonio Brown’s headline-grabbing exit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he walked off the field shirtless during a game.

Both players’ careers effectively ended in those moments. Campbell, a nine-year veteran with the 49ers, may now face a similar fate.

Campbell career at a crossroads

Before Thursday’s debacle, Campbell had been a consistent presence in the 49ers’ defense, logging 79 tackles and starting 12 of the team’s 13 games. But his recent struggles in coverage, coupled with Greenlaw’s return, has led to a diminished role. Instead of embracing the challenge, though, Campbell chose a path that could end his time in San Francisco — and possibly the NFL.

The 49ers, barely clinging to their playoff hopes, can ill afford internal drama. As Shanahan succinctly put it, “When someone says that, you move on. You don’t deal with that anymore.” With mounting frustration from teammates and coaches alike, it feels like it’s not a matter of if Campbell will be cut, but when.

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