49ers could have trouble keeping star from cutting ties with S.F.

The San Francisco 49ers have built a fantastic roster but it won't be able to keep it entirely together forever.

San Francisco has a lot of cap space, but there are plenty of stars on the team who are about to get paid. The 49ers already have some big contracts on the books for players like Brandon Aiyuk and Nick Bosa and need to keep enough cap space to sign Brock Purdy to a new deal eventually.

There could be some changes coming this upcoming offseason and one player who will be worth watching is linebacker Dre Greenlaw. He has dealt with injuries, but he still will be one of the best free agents available this upcoming offseason.

ESPN's Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler ranked Greenlaw as the 20th-best upcoming free agent and said he "should have many suitors."

"Why he could get paid: Greenlaw has yet to take a snap this season after tearing an Achilles in February in Super Bowl LVIII. But once cleared, he has the traits to make an impact for the 49ers' defense," Bowen said. "Greenlaw is a rangy linebacker with the pursuit speed to track ball carriers and the coverage awareness to close throwing windows. He has back-to-back 120-plus-tackle seasons, and he added 1.5 sacks last year.

"What we're hearing: How Greenlaw performs late in the season after his return will help determine his free agency path. Teams love his physicality and burst, so assuming he performs well down the stretch, the 27-year-old should have many suitors," Fowler said. "The 49ers have several big contract decisions looming and probably can't keep everyone, even though they love the way Greenlaw pairs with Fred Warner in the middle of the field."

Greenlaw has been with the 49ers since 2019. Could his time with the organization come to an end after the season?

More NFL: 49ers $40 million superstar predicted to cut ties with S.F. in favor of Ravens