The San Francisco 49ers' 2024 performance was filled with disappointment, especially when it came to how De'Vondre Campbell ended the campaign. The veteran linebacker refused to play during Week 15's 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams due to his diminished playing time, resulting in the 49ers suspending him for the remainder of the season.
The 49ers eventually lifted his suspension last week, however, Campbell's time in the Bay is assuredly over anyway. The former 2016 fourth-round pick will become an unrestricted free agent next month, allowing him to join his fifth franchise in less than a decade.
Over two months since he last played in a San Francisco jersey, Campbell has finally commented on his disastrous 49ers tenure.
Well, sort of.
49ers News: De'Vondre Campbell Makes 1st Post-Suspension Comments
On Friday, Campbell took to X to post a profanity-laced rant that included comments about his 49ers exit. Although he didn't go into full detail about why he walked away in Week 15, the ex-Minnesota Golden Gopher made it clear that his controversial exit isn't causing him to lose sleep.
"I ain’t addressing (expletive). I’m rich and never have to work another day of my life," Campbell wrote. "I told Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch that when they FaceTime me and begged me to come out there an hour after Green Bay cut me."
De'Vondre Campbell on quitting on 49ers: I'm rich and never have to work again. https://t.co/fdMdcIQVy5
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 22, 2025
In a separate post, Campbell made it clear that doesn't "care to clear anything up," adding that he wasn't a fan of how journalists and retired players "jumped on TV speaking on my name when they could’ve reached out to me and heard it from the horse's mouth."
On one hand, Campbell's nonchalant response isn't that surprising. The veteran defender has made more money than most fans could dream of with his career earnings currently sitting at just over $39.4 million, according to Spotrac.
Even if he's already burned through a chunk of that amount, he can likely live the rest of his life without worrying about finances.
On the other hand, Campbell can't be surprised that fans are frustrated with him.
It's absurd for him to think that he can cause a dramatic scene as he did in December and not have to face the music. Even if his publicity stunt was valid, the least he can do is be honest so that he can't be mad at fans for not knowing the full story.
Time will tell if any NFL franchise is desperate enough to take a flyer on Campbell this offseason. Although he's had a solid career that's featured 551 solo tackles, 30 defended passes, 9.5 sacks, and seven interceptions, the headaches and chaos he brings off the field just aren't worth it — especially with the lack of accountability he's showing.
Fortunately, he isn't the 49ers' problem anymore.
Campbell and the rest of the upcoming free agent class can begin negotiating with all 32 franchises when the tampering period opens on Monday, March 10.