The Green Bay Packers and their fans had to delight in the San Francisco 49ers having such an incredibly poor season in 2024. One of their old players, linebacker De'Vondre Campbell, may have been one of the biggest catalysts for that regression.
Campbell, who was once named first-team All-Pro for Green Bay in 2021 before his regression, started 12 games for the 49ers as a replacement for the injured Dre Greenlaw. After Greenlaw reclaimed his starting role and Campbell was relegated to a backup role, he refused to enter a game against the Rams.
Campbell was suspended after the game, preventing him from signing with a contender if he were to be cut. Rather than apologize, Campbell defended his past behavior while taking shots at Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. In a move that will surely endear him to many, he said that he "will never have to work another day of my life" and plays because he wants to.
Campbell's antics would be a nightmare for a young Packers team trying to solidify their growing core for the tough times ahead. He will likely never play in the NFL again. Green Bay dodged a bullet by letting him go.
Packers were right to move on from LB De'Vondre Campbell after weird online rant
At one point, Campbell was missing 25% of his tackles and allowing a completion percentage north of 80% on targets in his direction. Even without quitting in the middle of a game, Green Bay made the right move to dump him.
The fact that Campbell pulled this stunt in a year where multiple 49ers players continued to suit up despite unthinkably tragic deaths in the family is a bad look. The football landscape as a whole rightfully ripped him for his decision. Campbell may never play in the NFL again, even if he comes begging on his hands and knees.
The Packers, meanwhile, appear to have found a budding star in Edgerrin Cooper. Once again, Green Bay's peerless ability to know when it is best to move off veteran players has them sitting pretty, while the 49ers are struggling to reclaim their old role as a contender in the NFC.
Refusing to come into a game is a bad look. Refusing to do so, then doubling down on it by saying you are rich and don't need the headache is even worse. The cherry on top is implying the 49ers should be honored that he decided to play in the first place. Campbell is a headache Green Bay doesn't need.