Linebacker Fred Warner is eager to get back on the football field, hoping to help turn things around for the San Francisco 49ers. After two consecutive wins, the 49ers looked like playoff contenders again. Then the team hit a speed bump at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, falling to the underdog Atlanta Falcons 28-14.
"We obviously came into the season with high expectations," Warner said Tuesday morning on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "Still do have very high expectations, but [we're] 3-3. That's, basically, in my mind, we're back to 0-0 as if the season just started. But the positive thing about it is we've learned a lot through six weeks. And in order to get to where we want to go, we have to go through hard things, right? I think we for sure have done that.
"It feels like we have already played a lot more ball than we already have because we have gone through a lot, through a quick six games, and I'm excited. I'm excited for the opportunity to continue to go back to work and grow this team and be the team that we want to be."
Things won't get easier for the 49ers. Their next opponent is the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the best teams in the league, led by arguably the most talented quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, and one of the best tight ends in Travis Kelce.
The good news is that the Week 7 matchup is a home game for the 49ers. Having played only two games this year at Levi's Stadium, where they haven't lost a contest since November 7, 2021, the team has seven remaining home games this season.
The 49ers linebacker is excited about the upcoming matchup and shared his thoughts on facing Mahomes and Kelce.
"Super excited," Warner said. "The fact that we're playing ... Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, two of the best in the game, is really just a great opportunity for us on defense. Specifically for me to come ready to go. I love playing against the best.
"Travis Kelce is for sure a gold jacket guy, just an outstanding player at the position. And so it's just a matter of us coming to work and making sure we're ready to go, honestly, and I'm excited for the challenge on Sunday."
Despite a poor outing against the Falcons, the 49ers defense still ranks top three in the league. And it could be getting pass rusher Nick Bosa back against Kansas City. Cornerback Charvarius Ward left Sunday's game with a groin injury but is day-to-day, meaning he has a good shot to face his former team on Sunday.
"No doubt there's a swagger," Warner said of the 49ers defense. "I think even more so, though, there's a fire in our belly going into this week. The fact that we came out [on Sunday] and had the performance that we know that's not our standard, especially on our side of the ball. We need to get this taste out of our mouth, and we need to get back to work and put something on tape that we can be proud of."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Warner below.
