In a plot twist that feels straight out of a soap opera, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell became that guy during the 49ers‘ do-or-die game. When his moment came to step up for injured starter Drake Greenlaw, Campbell said, “Nah, I’m good,” and refused to play. Yep, you read that right—he bailed mid-game. Sports legend Dan Patrick wasn’t about to let this one slide. And his fiery takedown on The Dan Patrick Show was the stuff of viral gold.
Patrick didn’t pull punches, calling Campbell’s move “the worst thing you can do” to your team. He added, “Can you imagine this guy on a team plane after quitting? I’d tell him, ‘Don’t even shower, keep the uniform, and leave.’” Ouch. Patrick also threw some hard truths, suggesting Campbell should kiss his $20,000 game check goodbye. His words? “If you’re walking off the field like this, who’s signing you? This might be the end of his NFL career.”
And honestly, is anyone surprised? The team needed De’Vondre Campbell to step in for Dre Greenlaw, whose knee tightened up at halftime, and instead, Campbell just… opted out.
Patrick is not done, though. He painted a brutal picture of the locker room drama, saying, “It’s not just the defense falling apart—it’s one guy making a selfish decision that hurt everyone.” He even joked about how Campbell probably beat traffic after leaving the stadium early. If the 49ers’ defense wasn’t already a mess, this moment was the cherry on top of their disaster sundae.
De’Vondre Campbell’s $20,000-per-game gig just might be toast, and so could his nine-year career. Patrick summed it up perfectly: “If you’re this deep into your career and pulling stunts like this, it’s over.” Whether Campbell already emptied his locker or is just hiding from his teammates, one thing is clear. He just put his future with the 49ers and the NFL on the chopping block, and no one is rushing to save him.
Kyle Shanahan: Bail on us? Out you go!
Kyle Shanahan isn’t here for the drama—or for players who can’t pull their weight. After Campbell bailed mid-game, refusing to step in for an injured Drake Greenlaw, Shanahan didn’t hold back. “You don’t want to play for us? We don’t want you,” he said, making it clear Campbell’s days with the 49ers are over.
Calling De’Vondre Campbell’s behavior “the most selfish thing” he’s seen, Shanahan sent a loud message to the rest of the team: you don’t quit on your squad. The decision wasn’t just about Campbell—it was a statement that no one is above the team, especially during a playoff race. Shanahan isn’t playing games, and it’s safe to say the 49ers’ locker room just got a little tighter without Campbell.
Campbell, who makes $20,000 just to show up, may have lost his last paycheck. Shanahan’s bold move isn’t just about one game—it’s about setting the tone for the rest of the season. And if nothing else, it’s proof that the 49ers aren’t afraid to bench even the veterans who refuse to play the game right.
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