The San Francisco 49ers and four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner have agreed to a three-year, $63 million contract extension, ESPN reports.
Per the report, the extension comes with $56 million in guaranteed money and will make Warner the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL with a $21 million average annual salary. Warner previously played on a five-year, $92 million extension to his rookie contract that also made him the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL when he signed it.
Warner’s extension is the second high-profile deal in recent days for the 49ers, who agreed to a five-year, $265 million extension with quarterback Brock Purdy last week.
Warner prioritized amid a season of change in San Francisco
Purdy previously played on an enormous discount via the four-year, $3.73 million rookie contract he signed as the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. With Purdy now playing on one of the richest contracts in the NFL, San Francisco’s salary cap calculus is significantly altered and has forced the 49ers to make some difficult roster decisions this offseason.
Those decisions included allowing key veteran defenders Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga walk in free agency to the Denver Broncos. San Francisco also traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. But the 49ers have prioritized retaining Warner and awarded him with a lucrative new contract that extends through the 2029 season.
Warner, 28, has played his entire seven-season NFL career with the 49ers. He’s been named first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl on four different occasions, including each of the previous three seasons.
Warner’s tallied at least 118 tackles in each season of his career. He has 10 career sacks, 36 tackles for loss, 15 forced fumbles, 10 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries as one of the most impactful off-ball linebackers in football.
Warner’s also one of the most durable players in the league, having played in at least 16 games in each of his seven NFL seasons.
Will 49ers contend in 2025?
Warner will sign his extension as the 49ers seek to return to contention with their retooled roster. The 49ers made the playoffs in four out of five seasons from 2019 to 2023, a span that included four trips to the NFC championship game and two trips to the Super Bowl.
But the 49ers struggled to a 6-11 campaign in 2024 that resulted in a last-place finish in the NFC West. With Purdy, Warner, Nick Bosa and Christian McCaffrey headlining San Francisco’s roster, the 49ers signal that they intend to compete again next season and beyond.
