After signing starting quarterback Brock Purdy to a massive five-year, $265 million extension last week, the San Francisco 49ers immediately pivoted days later to giving All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner a well-earned contract extension.
Warner, who still had two years remaining on his rookie extension (five-year, $95.2 million) that he signed in July 2021, got a three-year, $63 million extension earlier this week, keeping the veteran in the Bay Area through 2029.
As you can imagine, the 49er faithful were excited to hear this news. The team has made a concerted effort to re-sign its core players this offseason. George Kittle was up first, followed by Purdy and Warner.
After the team officially announced the extension on Thursday, Warner sent a message to the fanbase in a video posted on the 49ers’ Twitter/X account.
"Faithful, hey, we’re here to stay, baby. It was a dream when I got drafted here in 2018, and it’s still a dream to this day. And man, I know we’ve been through some great times these first seven years, but the story is only beginning. And we know what we’re after. Let’s go chase it. Let’s go get it."
After seeing that video, how can you not be fired up to have Warner leading the defense for the rest of the decade?
The 28-year-old defender has developed into one of the best linebackers in the league and is a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Last season, Warner produced 131 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, five tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two QB hits, and two interceptions (one returned for a defensive score).
It was the fourth straight season that Warner had at least 130 tackles. The veteran was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl (fourth overall) and first-team All-Pro (fourth overall). That said, Warner could become a Hall of Famer when it's all said and done with his trajectory.
The 49ers hope Warner and the vets can get this team back on track after a down 2024 season as they push towards the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.