The San Francisco 49ers officially announced the five-year extension for star linebacker Fred Warner. News of the deal was first reported yesterday. The $95.225 million contract could keep the All-Pro defender with San Francisco through the 2026 season.
"We're extremely excited to have completed a long-term contract extension with Fred prior to the start of training camp," general manager John Lynch said via a statement. "Fred brings the type of leadership and energy every day that our defense and team feeds off. He earned this extension through hard work, discipline, and the professional way he goes about his business. We look forward to watching him continue to play at an elite level for us well into the future. Now it's time to go to work."
RELATED A look at the details of Fred Warner's contract extension with the 49ers
The deal came less than a week before 49ers players report to training camp in Santa Clara. Locking up one of the best defensive players in the league was one of the team's top offseason priorities.
Today, Warner expressed his excitement about the new deal on social media.
"Wow. Honored and blessed to remain Faithful for years to come!!" the linebacker wrote via Twitter. "Thank you to Jed (York), John, Paraag (Marathe), Kyle (Shanahan) and everyone for believing in me and allowing me this opportunity. I thank EVERYONE who's helped bring me to this point in my career. We're only getting started…. Go Niners."
Wow. Honored and blessed to remain Faithful for years to come!! Thank you to Jed, John, Paraag, Kyle and everyone for believing in me and allowing me this opportunity. I thank EVERYONE who's helped bring me to this point in my career. We're only getting started…. Go Niners🤟🏾
— Fred Warner (@fred_warner) July 22, 2021
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Warner (6-3, 230) was originally selected by the 49ers in the third round (70th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Over the past three seasons (2018-20), he has started all 48 games and registered 366 tackles, 21 passes defensed, five forced fumbles, 4.0 sacks, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and three fumble recoveries. He has also started three postseason contests and added 20 tackles, two passes defensed and one interception.
In 2020, Warner was named Associated Press First-Team All-Pro and earned his first career Pro Bowl selection as he started all 16 games and finished with 125 tackles, six passes defensed, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and 1.0 sack. He was also the recipient of the team's Len Eshmont Award, which is given annually to the player who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team, and the Bill Walsh Award, which is given to the player who has best represented the standard of professional excellence established by Bill Walsh.
A 24-year-old native of San Marcos, CA, Warner attended Brigham Young University where he played in 49 games (42 starts) in four years for the Cougars and registered 264 tackles, 32.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, seven interceptions (returning two for touchdowns), five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and 13 passes defensed.
