The San Francisco 49ers’ offseason of restructuring and course correction continues. After extending George Kittle and Brock Purdy, it was now Fred Warner’s turn to sign a new deal with the five-time Super Bowl champions, a record-breaking contract for the linebacker position.
Let’s take a closer look at the details of Warner’s new deal and the path that led him to become the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history.
Fred Warner Signs New Extension With 49ers
The best linebacker in football has a new deal. Fred Warner signed a three-year extension with the 49ers that restructures his current contract with the franchise. The move comes two years before Warner was set to hit free agency and rewards his performance while aligning his value with the current market.
ESPN Sources: Four-time All-Pro LB Fred Warner and the 49ers reached agreement on a three-year, $63 million contract extension that includes over $56 million in guaranteed money that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid linebacker. It marks the second time in his seven-year NFL… pic.twitter.com/L4GHK7h4Vy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 19, 2025
In 2021, Warner signed a five-year contract extension with the franchise worth a total of $95.2 million, averaging $19.04 million per season. At the time, it was the largest deal in NFL history for a linebacker and kept Warner under contract through the end of the 2026 season.
The new deal adds three more years to Warner’s contract, keeping him in San Francisco through 2029, according to insider Dianna Russini. With an average annual salary of $21 million, Warner now surpasses Roquan Smith’s $20 million per year, once again making him the highest-paid player at his position.
Warner was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 70th overall pick. After a standout career at BYU, he became a starter from his very first NFL game. Over seven seasons in the league, he’s missed just one game, in 2021, proving to be one of the most reliable and durable players in the entire NFL.
His first breakout season came in 2019, when San Francisco’s defense, led by coordinator Robert Saleh, emerged as one of the best in the NFL and carried the team to the Super Bowl. In the big game, Warner even intercepted quarterback Patrick Mahomes, though the 49ers ultimately fell short of victory.
In 2020, Warner earned the first of his four First-Team All-Pro selections. Even in a down year for the 49ers, he stood out as the backbone of the defense — gaining recognition for his versatility and elite play both in coverage and against the run. Known for his sharp recognition of plays and relentless effort, Warner quickly became one of the most complete linebackers in the league.
Combining his rookie deal with his extensions, Warner’s career earnings have already surpassed $65 million. If he plays out the full length of his new contract with the 49ers, he’ll have earned $164 million in total. Of that, $56 million is guaranteed from his latest extension, which secures him at least $155.6 million over his career.
The 49ers’ decision to extend Warner reflects what he continues to show on the field year after year. Despite playing with intensity and full commitment, he remains remarkably durable, even performing at an elite level through injuries. He’s well on his way to becoming a true franchise icon in San Francisco.