San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear on Friday that linebacker De’Vondre Campbell is unlikely to remain with the team following his shocking decision to walk off the field during Thursday’s 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Campbell refused to play in the third quarter, an act Shanahan and several 49ers players have deemed unacceptable.
The Incident
The controversy began when Campbell was removed from the starting lineup to make room for Dre Greenlaw, who returned from injury.
When Greenlaw and fellow linebacker Dee Winters came off the field in the third quarter, Campbell was called upon to take the field but refused. Instead, he walked to the locker room after the quarter ended, still in full uniform, and informed neither teammates nor coaches of his intentions until the moment arose.
Shanahan’s Response
Shanahan addressed the situation directly during a press conference on Friday, expressing his disappointment and making the team’s stance crystal clear.
“His actions from the game are not something you can do to your team or teammates and still be a part of our team,” Shanahan said, via KNBR. “We’re working through the semantics of the process, but we’ll handle the situation accordingly.”
Shanahan indicated that Campbell would not play for the 49ers again this season, and the team is exploring options, including suspension or outright release.
“When someone says they don’t want to play, you move on,” Shanahan added. “That’s somebody who doesn’t want to play football, and 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.”
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Teammates React with Frustration
Campbell’s decision not to play was met with widespread disapproval among his teammates, who voiced their frustration with his actions after the game.
Tight end George Kittle did not mince words, calling the incident disappointing and unprofessional.
“I’m not very happy about it,” Kittle said. “I wish I had heard about it on the field, but I didn’t. Is that the reason we lost? Absolutely not. But it’s hard to win football games when someone doesn’t want to play. Especially when you’re suited up. I’ve never been around anybody that’s ever done that, and I hope I’m never around anybody that does that again.”
Cornerback Charvarius Ward echoed Kittle’s sentiment, labeling Campbell’s actions as selfish.
“He’s a professional. He’s been playing for a long time. If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed,” Ward said. “It definitely hurt the team. For him to do that, that’s some selfish stuff to me, in my opinion. He’s probably going to get cut soon, so it is what it is.”
Campbell’s Role This Season
Campbell had stepped in as a key contributor earlier in the season, filling the gap left by Greenlaw’s recovery from a torn Achilles. Despite his contributions, his decision to abandon the team mid-game has overshadowed any positive impact he made on the field.
Looking Ahead
The 49ers now face a critical decision on how to handle Campbell’s situation, as the team tries to refocus on their season. With a 6-8 record, the 49ers’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and distractions like this only add to their challenges.
Shanahan and the team appear resolute in their decision to move on from Campbell, prioritizing the team’s culture and commitment to professionalism.
Whether through suspension or release, Campbell’s time with the 49ers seems all but over, and the fallout serves as a reminder of the standards expected at the highest level of professional football.
