Fred Warner has been paid, and the All-Pro linebacker is excited to get back to work. The San Francisco 49ers report to training camp next week and will hold their first practice on Wednesday, July 28.
A historic number of injuries derailed the Niners' 2020 campaign, and the team finished with just six wins. In addition, the defense lost its coordinator, Robert Saleh, who left to become the head coach of the New York Jets.
DeMeco Ryans, Warner's former position coach, replaces Saleh. While some wonder what this might mean in the immediate future for the defense's production, the star linebacker expects a smooth transition to Ryans.
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"I think, obviously, with DeMeco coming in, he's going to have his own touch to the defense," Warner told Greg Papa and John Lund on KNBR this morning. "Having him as my linebacker coach the last three years has been incredible, so just to see that transition, he's been the exact same person.
"The fact that he's played the game with the passion that he does, it translates straight to the way he's a defensive coordinator. Not a ton will change, I'm sure, but like I said, it's going to be his defense now, and it's our job as players to execute whatever he gives us at the highest level."
The defense will get young pass rusher Nick Bosa back. He missed the final 14 games of last season due to a torn ACL. Warner revealed that Dee Ford, who appeared in just one game last season, has looked good and could boost the talented defensive front.
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The rest of the returning talent and a strong showing during the offseason program has the fourth-year linebacker excited about the team's potential.
"Just watching during OTAs, it was so impressive to watch," Warner said. "Everyone was so dialed in. Everyone was flying to the football. And this is OTAs we're talking about. It was the offseason program, and just the fire that everybody had out there during an OTA practice was great to see.
"I know we're all hungry. We have an explosive front seven, and all the DBs are back, loaded up to make some plays, and I'm just so excited. We have everything that we need, and guys are back healthy.
"Having guys like Bosa and Dee Ford back is huge for this defense. And we have a lot of young guys who are still hungry, even myself. So, we're just excited to get going."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Warner below.