The San Fransisco 49ers wanted to make sure they locked up their star inside linebacker Fred Warner long term before training camp. Warner has been a vital piece of the 49ers’ defense over the last three seasons.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the 49ers extended Warner’s contract giving him a five-year $95 million dollars. Of that $95 million, $40.5 million of Warner’s contract is guaranteed. According to Over the Cap, Warner passes C.J. Mosely for the largest contract by a linebacker. He also passes Bobby Wagner for the highest average salary per year at the position.
Warner was drafted with the 70th overall pick in 2018 that was acquired from the Chicago Bears in the Mitchell Trubisky-Solomon Thomas trade that happened early in the first round the year prior. He has started all 48 regular-season games the 49ers have played over the last three seasons.
After posting a solid 124 combined tackles (85 solo tackles) season in his rookie year, Warner changed his number from 48 to 54 and established himself as an outstanding defender on one of the league’s most star-studded defenses. During the San Fransisco 49ers’ Super Bowl run in 2019-20, Warner had 118 combined tackles (career-high 89 solo tackles), three sacks, and a 46-yard pick-six. This past season Warner had a career-high 125 combined tackles (79 solo tackles), one sack, and two interceptions.
Following the 2020-21 season Warner received the recognition he deserved as not only one of the best inside linebackers but one of the best linebackers in the league. He was voted to his first Pro Bowl and received First-Team All-Pro acknowledgment this past season. Many now put Warner in the same category as Bobby Wagner and fellow 2018 NFL Draft class member Darius Leonard as the best linebacker in the league.
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