Fred Warner isn't making excuses about why his San Francisco 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. The team was without defensive linemen D.J. Jones and Ronald Blair, who both landed on injured reserve. Warner gives credit where credit is due, and said Tuesday on KNBR that the Chiefs made the plays necessary to emerge as champions.
Warner remains proud of everything his 49ers accomplished last season. The team followed up a four-win season with a Super Bowl run that no one saw coming and fell just short of its ultimate goal.
The linebacker is already focused on using the defeat as fuel for next season. The defensive line in front of him on game days will be a bit reconfigured, though. While 11 of the 12 defensive starters are returning for another run, one crucial component of the 49ers' Super Bowl run will be missing — Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. He was traded to the Indianapolis Colts last month when it became apparent that the team would struggle to lock him up to a long-term contract.
Also gone is key defensive lineman Sheldon Day, who will join Buckner in Indianapolis.
Buckner accounted for 22 sacks over the past two seasons, including this past postseason, and occupied a good amount of the opposing offensive line's attention within the interior. That left the 49ers defenders on the edge free to feast.
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While Buckner's presence will be missed, Warner feels the defensive line will be just as motivated in 2020.
"Our front is extremely talented," Warner said on the Tolbert, Krueger and Brooks show. "You mentioned how we didn't have D.J. and Ronnie Blair, and those are huge guys for not only the defense but for the team. You mentioned how we did lost DeFo, and that's just how it goes. When you have a very talented team, you've got to make hard decisions at the end of the day. He was such a great captain and leader, and friend for me. I learned a lot from him.
"But I'm very excited about the group we have coming back, and I know guys are only going to come back even hungrier, and I'm sure we'll add pieces to the group as well, so I'm looking forward to it."
One of those hungry players will be second-year pass rusher Nick Bosa, the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Warner was asked about the impact the young defensive end had on the field last season.
"You saw the effect he had right away," Warner said, "and I think that's kind of what happens when you're the No. 2 overall pick. That's the expectation, I should say. That doesn't always happen. He not only made a big impact for the defense but for the team as a whole.
"Obviously, the talent is unbelievable but just the fact that he showed up and he carries himself like he was a vet from day one. Just the way he went about his routine, and taking care of his body, and being in the weight room, getting stronger, faster, better, (not) being content with where he was throughout the season.
"I've grown to become really good friends with him, and I know [his production is] only going to go up from here, so I'm excited to see it."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Warner below.