The San Francisco 49ers finished the 2021 season with the No. 3 ranked defense in total yards allowed. That unit seemed to improve as the season progressed, helping the team reach the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three years.
One of the leaders of that defense is star linebacker Fred Warner. Warner's offensive teammates love having him on their squad during the season. However, during the offseason, it's more of a nuisance.
"Fred is irritating," wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk admitted after Wednesday's practice, the first of training camp.
The two were chirping at each other a bit on the practice field. To be fair, the wideout was warned.
"He told me what type of time it is in the locker room earlier today, so I can't be mad at him," Aiyuk said. "We're all competitors. That defense is the best defense in the National Football League, so that's the cream of the crop when we go against those guys. We know we have to bring it every single day."
That top defense has a newcomer, which the 49ers hope will improve the unit. In March, the team signed cornerback Charvarius Ward to a three-year, $40.5 million deal.
"We had two reps today," Aiyuk told reporters when asked about practicing against Ward. "Everyone jokes around all the time that's big money in the DB room. We say, 'That's the dog food out there.' He's a great corner. We love matching up against him. But I just continue to look forward to going up against him throughout camp and just getting better because that's what it looks like.
"Even [Emmanuel Moseley], all those DBs, I'm talking about it all the time, we've got a great DB room, just going against all those guys. But … Charvarius, yeah, I look forward to going against him through camp."