The situation surrounding veteran linebacker De’Vondre Campbell has quickly escalated for the San Francisco 49ers following his shocking actions during their 12–6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday. Campbell, who refused to enter the game and ultimately walked off the field, has not only drawn sharp criticism from fans and analysts but has now been suspended for the remainder of the season by the team.
With three games left in the regular season, Campbell’s time with the 49ers is almost certainly over. As of Monday, tensions have boiled over, and Campbell’s former teammates have publicly spoken out against his actions, marking a divisive and bitter conclusion to his tenure with the franchise.
Players Rip Campbell for ‘Quitting’ on the Team
When asked about the incident, several 49ers players didn’t hold back in expressing their frustrations and disappointment. Star cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was particularly blunt, calling Campbell’s refusal to take the field unacceptable.
“I just lost all respect,” Lenoir said, per reporters. “I’m a person that’s going 110% every play. If I’m hurt and the guy behind me is not backing me up and can’t come in or don’t want to go in, I just feel like he’s a cancer to the team.”
Lenoir’s comments reflect a sentiment that has seemingly spread throughout the locker room—Campbell’s actions were seen as a betrayal of the team’s collective effort, especially as they fight to secure playoff positioning.
Defensive end Nick Bosa, one of the team’s vocal leaders, expressed disbelief while noting that signs of trouble were evident even before the game.
“I kind of saw the foreshadowing, and I definitely didn’t think it was going to result in that,” Bosa said, alluding to Campbell’s pre-game frustrations. “But for it to escalate to walking off like that—it’s disappointing.”
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Locker Room Fallout
In a move that underscores the 49ers’ clear stance on the matter, Campbell’s locker has already been cleaned out, and his nameplate has been removed. The rapid response reflects not only the organization’s dissatisfaction with Campbell’s behavior but also their intent to move forward without him.
The decision to suspend Campbell for the final three games of the season was reportedly unanimous among the coaching staff and front office, with sources indicating that trust had been irrevocably broken.
Campbell had signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the 49ers ahead of the 2024 season, brought in to bolster the defense with his experience and leadership. In 13 games, the 31-year-old linebacker recorded 79 tackles and broke up two passes. While his production was respectable, Thursday’s walk-off marked a stunning low point in his career and erased any hope of him being a long-term asset to San Francisco.
A Strange Turn for a Former All-Pro
The dramatic fallout is a surprising twist for Campbell, who once sat atop his position as a first-team All-Pro in 2021 during his standout season with the Green Bay Packers. He emerged as a dominant force in Green Bay, registering 146 tackles, two interceptions, and two sacks that season, earning him widespread respect across the league.
Since then, Campbell’s production has remained solid but inconsistent, and his tenure with the 49ers was supposed to be a bounce-back opportunity. Instead, it has ended in controversy.
What’s Next for Campbell?
For De’Vondre Campbell, Thursday’s incident and subsequent suspension may severely impact his future prospects in the NFL. Walking off the field in the middle of a game is one of the ultimate sins in professional sports, where accountability and teamwork are paramount. Teams across the league may hesitate to take a chance on him, given how publicly his actions have been condemned by his own teammates.
Some NFL insiders suggest that Campbell’s frustrations may have stemmed from a diminished role or disputes with coaching staff, but regardless of the root cause, his decision to refuse to play has likely burned bridges in San Francisco.
49ers Focus on Moving Forward
For the 49ers, the saga marks an unfortunate distraction during a critical point in their season. With the playoffs fast approaching, the team will look to regroup and turn their focus back to securing postseason success. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers’ leadership will undoubtedly emphasize unity and accountability as they move forward without Campbell.
While the veteran linebacker’s exit is a sour note for a team striving to remain focused, the strong and unified stance taken by Campbell’s teammates signals that the locker room remains determined to keep its culture intact.
A Cautionary Tale
The De’Vondre Campbell saga serves as a reminder of the fine balance between personal frustrations and professional accountability in the NFL. As his former teammates have made clear, no individual is bigger than the team, and when that line is crossed, the consequences can be swift and unforgiving.
With Campbell now on the outside looking in, the 49ers will march forward, leaving the dramatic episode firmly in the past. For Campbell, however, the road to redemption will be far more uncertain.
