The San Francisco 49ers are a win away from returning to the Super Bowl. The team got there during the 2019 season but failed to hold onto a lead over the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, they have an opportunity to make amends for that heartbreaking defeat.
Fred Warner was on that last Super Bowl team. It was the linebacker's second year in the NFL. Now, three years later, Warner and the 49ers are on the cusp of another trip to the big game. So what would winning in his second trip mean to the All-Pro defender?
"It would mean everything, seriously," Warner recently told Rich Eisen. "We've been there. We've been to the NFC Championship Game three out of the last four years. I've been to the Super Bowl. And when you go so early in your career, I don't think you really—I don't want to say I didn't respect it because, trust me, when I was there, I was like I know how hard it is to get here. But it's just you don't really know. Even though you think you know, you don't know, and now being one of the head leaders on the team, and a captain, and having the role I do with the team, it would mean everything to go and to have a shot at winning it."
The season after that last Super Bowl appearance was strange for the NFL. COVID had impacted the world, and football games were being played in empty stadiums. The already tough situation was made more challenging for the Niners, who were forced to play at State Farm Stadium during that December due to COVID-related restrictions that prevented them from playing at Levi's Stadium.
State Farm Stadium, the 49ers' short-term home to close out the 2020 season, will host Super Bowl 57 on February 12. Warner had not really thought about that connection until Eisen reminded the linebacker about their former home away from home.
"That year in 2020, it was a crazy year," Warner shared. "It was unique. It was everything you could call it. Being in Arizona, that was our new home, and yeah, you mention that this year, being in Arizona, that kind of adds an extra little element there."
The 49ers will face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. The winner will face the AFC champions in Super Bowl 57.
49ers restructure Fred Warner's contract, create $9.5 million in salary cap space
By David Bonilla
Mar 14
The San Francisco 49ers made another move to add salary-cap space. On the same day the team restructured cornerback Charvarius Ward's deal, it restructured linebacker Fred Warner's. ESPN's Field Yates was the first to report the news.
The move creates $9.5 million in salary cap space for the Bay Area team. Paired with Ward's restructuring, the 49ers created nearly $20 million of additional cap space.
The 49ers restructured the contract of LB Fred Warner, creating $9.5M in cap space, per source.More
Details emerge on LB Fred Warner's restructured deal with 49ers
By David Bonilla
Mar 15
On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers created $9.5 million in salary cap space by restructuring the contract of linebacker Fred Warner. The deal remains a five-year one worth $95.225 million, and the player remains signed through the 2026 season.
However, much of Warner's 2023 base salary has been converted to a signing bonus, paying him that amount immediately but allowing the 49ers to spread the salary-cap impact of the amount throughout the length of the contract. In Warner's case, the impact of the signing bonus will go beyond 2026, as the 49ers added a void year in 2027.
Warner's 2023 salary cap number reduces from about $18.5 million to $9.049
Sam Darnold on role with 49ers: "As long as we're winning games, that's the only thing that matters"
By David Bonilla
Mar 16
Sam Darnold is the newest San Francisco 49ers quarterback. He joins a quarterback room that includes third-year passer Trey Lance and second-year player Brock Purdy. The Niners are Darnold's third NFL team since the New York Jets made him the No. 3 overall pick in 2018. He spent the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, appearing in 18 games while starting 17.
Darnold felt that signing with the 49ers was an easy decision. He's excited about the opportunity to work with head coach and play-caller Kyle Shanahan and the other 49ers coaches.
The quarterback steps into a great situation, too. San Francisco undoubtedly has the most talented roster he has ever been a part of.
"Just excited to get started in this organization and get to work," Darnold
Titans expected to sign former 49ers LB Azeez Al-Shaair
By David Bonilla
Mar 14
According to ESPN's Dianna Russini, the Tennessee Titans are expected to sign former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, an unrestricted free agent.
The Titans are expected to sign former 49er Azeez Al-Shaair, per source— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 14, 2023
"I want him to go be
