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While the 49ers prepare to honor one of their all-time great defensive players later this year when they induct linebacker Patrick Willis into their franchise Hall of Fame, it's possible they have another linebacker on their hands in
Fred Warner who is in the early stages of a career that will eventually earn him the same distinction.
The 24-year-old Warner still has a lot of football ahead of him, but if he continues on the same trajectory he's on now (and eventually re-signs with the 49ers on a long-term deal), it's not a stretch to think he could one day join Willis in the 49ers Hall of Fame. Willis
spoke about Warner during an interview on 95.7 The Game's Morning Roast Podcast Friday morning and had nothing but praise for the All-Pro linebacker, starting with his ability to consistently make plays.
"Fred is exceptional. He has played exceptional for the 49ers thus far, has been a leader on their defense, and really just (has a) nose for the ball," Willis said. "I'm a big fan of 'get to the ball.' I know you have your responsibilities, but there's no reason why you shouldn't always be somewhere near that ball. He's always around the ball. He's a playmaker."
Willis, who is listed online at 6'1", seems particularly impressed with Warner's size. Warner stands at 6'3", which Willis says combines with his athleticism to create a complete linebacker.
"What I like most about his game, he's tall. I stood beside him before and I'm like goddang, you're pretty tall," Willis said. "So he has the length but he uses it really well and moves well with his base. For me, I'm a big fan of that because I'm the type of person who I wanted to be an athlete. I didn't want to just be a middle linebacker. I wanted to be a guy who could do it all, whether it was cover a running back that was like a scatback, or get in a slot, or sometimes you're on an island by yourself. Again, he does it all really well. I don't really see too much I'm not impressed with."
Foot issues were a problem for Willis during his NFL career and eventually played their part in pushing him into early retirement after the 2014 season at age 30. He says health will be the big key for Warner if he wants to put together a great career.
"As long as you're healthy, you can keep on doing amazing things, and as long as he's healthy, I feel like he's going to be an amazing player," Willis said.
Hear what Willis said about Warner below:
Willis will be inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame later this year along with wide receiver John Taylor and will be honored during a ceremony on December 19 when the 49ers host the Atlanta Falcons. He ended his interview on 95.7 with a message for any 49ers fans who were tuning in.
"I really, really appreciate all the love throughout the years," Willis said. "I hope I made each one who tuned in proud. I hope I wore the 49er red and gold proud. I just hope I left a mark."
The news of Arik Armstead's departure from the San Francisco 49ers after nine seasons with the team shocked linebacker Fred Warner. Armstead, a former first-round pick, was an impactful force on the football field. However, his availability over the last two seasons forced the 49ers to reevaluate his contract, and when his salary could not be significantly reduced, the two sides parted ways.
"Huge surprise," Warner said of learning that Armstead was being released. "Ever since I've been here, we called him the blueprint for how to be a Niner. That was the longest-tenured Niner that's been here and a guy that's done it right through and through."
Warner has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the league works. Over the years, he's watched several
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
