Bosa reveals how Campbell predicted the 49ers’ exit before the game

Bosa reveals how Campbell predicted 49ers’ exit before game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA – Nick Bosa spotted the warning signs in the locker room before the 49ers took the field at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday night.

Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, 31, a nine-year NFL veteran, was apparently unhappy with his role as the 49ers prepared to play the Los Angeles Rams. And he let the people around him know it.

Campbell, who started 12 of the 49ers’ first 13 games this season, was relegated to a backup role and Dre Greenlaw returned to the lineup. Campbell later refused to play in the game when asked by the coaching staff.

“In the locker room before the game, I heard some complaints,” Bosa said of Campbell. “And I wanted to say something and then I didn’t because I didn’t want to create more of a distraction.

“So, yeah, I kind of saw the foreshadowing and definitely didn’t think it was going to lead to that, didn’t know it was happening during the game.”

Campbell prepared for the game and secured one of the coveted 48 matchday squad spots. Greenlaw left the game early in the second half after experiencing knee discomfort, and substitute Dee Winters was sidelined with a neck injury.

Campbell almost played the entire second half. His refusal to play ended his turbulent season with the 49ers.

Campbell signed a one-year contract with the 49ers after the Green Bay Packers released him in March. Following his split from the Packers, Campbell took to social media and criticized the organization for abusing him. He said he had lost all respect for some of Green Bay’s coaches.

Campbell has not yet publicly stated his reasons for declining to play against the Rams.

“He said he didn’t want to play today,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said of Campbell after Thursday’s game.

On Monday, 49ers general manager John Lynch announced that the organization had suspended Campbell for the final three games of the 2024 NFL season for conduct detrimental to the team.

Bosa said he believes Campbell’s actions were isolated incidents and not a sign of a larger problem within the squad.

“This locker room is great. “It’s always been great,” Bosa said. “But sometimes when you bring someone older and from a different place, you don’t know.

“But no, there are no problems in this locker room. Very rare.”

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