The San Francisco 49ers ended last week, making massive news, signing starting quarterback Brock Purdy to a five-year, $265 million contract extension. After the 49ers signed Purdy, rumors began to swirl that a potential Fred Warner extension could be on the horizon.
On Monday, the 49ers locked in the All-Pro linebacker for the foreseeable future, signing him to a three-year, $63 million extension, which includes $56 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Fred Warner Lands Extension With 49ers on Monday
This is Warner’s second contract extension in his stellar career. The veteran linebacker signed a huge five-year, $95.225 million extension, which included $40.5 million guaranteed in July 2021.
Therefore, Warner got a sizable upgrade in guaranteed money, which makes sense given that he’s made three-straight first-team All Pros and Pro Bowls between 2022-24. At the same time, the 49ers didn’t have to break the bank in total contract value.
The inside linebacker position has become much more important over the years in the NFL, as they are essentially playmakers at the second level. However, they aren’t getting paid as much as a star pass rusher or cornerback on the defensive side of the ball.
In 2023, Roquan Smith received a five-year, $100 million contract extension from the Baltimore Ravens. However, the only player to come close to Smith’s contract is Warner, who got $95.2M in 2021 (first extension).
That said, the most recent inside linebackers who received new deals this offseason did not come close to what Warner got with his latest contract.
- Zack Baun – 3-yr, $51 million ($34 million guaranteed)
- Jamien Sherwood – 3-yr, $45 million ($30 million guaranteed)
- Nick Bolton – 3-yr, $45 million ($30 million guaranteed)
- Terrel Bernard – 4-yr, $42.1 million ($14.1 million guaranteed).
If you are the 49ers’ front office brass, you must be happy with how things played out in the end. Warner gets an increase in guaranteed money, but based on other linebackers getting paid this offseason, they had a baseline to lean on in negotiations.