The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the most active teams this offseason. After a dramatic fall from an overtime Super Bowl appearance to just six wins in the 2024 season, the 49ers were determined to retool their roster in several ways.
That started by parting ways with key players from their Super Bowl run. But now, general manager John Lynch has moved into the next phase: Locking down his stars. After George Kittle and Brock Purdy signed historic extensions, it was Fred Warner’s turn, leaving fans stunned by San Francisco’s spending spree.
Fans Turn Raucous Over Fred Warner Contract Extension
Letting go of names like Deebo Samuel Sr., Charvarius Ward, Javon Hargrave, Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga was a tough pill for the fan base and earned the team a D grade for free agency from PFSN.
But over the past few weeks, the front office has secured nearly all its foundational pieces with long-term deals. First up was Kittle, who got a four-year, $76.4 million extension with $40 million guaranteed.
Then came a massive five-year, $265 million deal for Purdy — one of the most anticipated contract extensions in recent memory. And now, Warner has joined the list with a three-year, $63 million extension.
With $56 million guaranteed, Warner’s new deal makes him the highest-paid linebacker in the league. His previous contract, signed in 2021, also made him the top earner at the position at the time. The four-time Pro Bowler is once again resetting the market.
The series of big-money contracts left fans buzzing. While some celebrated the team keeping its stars, others were shocked by the price tags. “Where do they get all this money,” one fan wrote, echoing plenty of others.
Where do they get all this money https://t.co/3KkuWj7IsB
— Prison Matt 🧀 (@PrisonMatt_) May 19, 2025
Some weren’t as impressed, believing the cap hit from concentrating money at the top could come back to bite the team. “49ers checkbooks are COOKED.”
49ers checkbooks are COOKED
— 𝘱 🤘🏼 (@pqrron) May 19, 2025
Similar comments like “They just went broke” were all over social media. Still, others backed the deal, with one fan calling Warner “very deserved. The best LB in the game today.”
Very deserved. The best LB in the game today
— NFL Draft Content – Scouting (@draftlives_here) May 19, 2025
The extension was widely seen as a no-brainer given Warner’s impact. Drafted in the third round out of BYU, Warner has been one of the most consistent defenders in the league. He’s earned four first-team All-Pro nods in seven seasons and hasn’t missed a single game.
Naturally, plenty of fans were thrilled. “Bag secured, Niners stay winning.”
Bag secured, Niners stay winning 💰
— Melissa25⛩️🔥 (@meltec_mel1124) May 19, 2025
Even with the steep price, some felt the value was right. “Actually a steal for the amount of impact he has on that defense,” one fan tweeted.
Actually a steal for the amount of impact he has on that defense
— 𝗧𝗖 (@TatumCeltics) May 19, 2025
With Warner leading the way, the 49ers consistently field one of the league’s top-10 defenses. And his durability is unmatched — something that’s not always flashy but valuable.
Still, even for some fans who love the move, the financial risk is impossible to ignore. “Well deserved but niners r practically on the verge of debt now.”
Well deserved but niners r practically on the verge of debt now
— Saul “Bar Piss” Goodman (@voddysodas) May 19, 2025
After a rough 2024 season, the 49ers are eager to get back on track and make a deep playoff run. The front office has done its part. It’s on a very expensive roster to prove it can get back to the top.
