The San Francisco 49ers saw a lot of changes throughout their roster, but one player who is staying with the team is linebacker Fred Warner. He signed a massive three-year, $61 million contract extension this offseason to continue playing for the franchise, and he posted a video on social media expressing his excitement to stay in the Bay Area.
Fred Warner’s ‘Dream’
“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.”
It was a dream.
It's still a dream. pic.twitter.com/SoAjjG0yXj
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers)
It will be interesting to see how he does in the 2025 season, as the 49ers have one of the easiest schedules in the league. The team has a lot of different faces than it did last season, and this season can be telling on how the future of the 49ers will look going forward.
Since being drafted with the 70th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Warner has only known San Francisco in his NFL career. He has been one of the best players in the league, being named a first-team All-Pro in four of the previous five seasons, including each of the last three.
Last season was a repeat of his dominance, as he finished with 131 total tackles (76 solo, 55 assisted) with 1.0 sacks, five tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and four forced fumbles.
Now, the 49ers are going to be tested, as their defense does not have those major names that fans have become accustomed to. Warner is playing at an elite level and has been able to for a while, but with the extension for himself and quarterback Brock Purdy this offseason, the roster has changed significantly to account for the cap hits.
This contract extension continues to make him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. He does not miss many games, as he has played in at least 16 games every season of his career. If the 49ers are going to be contenders, Warner is going to need to play a significant role on the defensive side of the football, and he has shown that he can do that. Now, the Lombardi Trophy is the next target for him.