Fred Warner is among several San Francisco 49ers players in Orlando, Florida, this week for the Pro Bowl festivities. NBC Sports Bay Area caught up with the star linebacker for the first time since the team hired Robert Saleh to replace Nick Sorensen as defensive coordinator.
Saleh, who was the 49ers' defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020, is reuniting with Warner, whom the team drafted in 2018.
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"It means a lot," Warner told Jennifer Lee Chan. "Obviously, Coach Saleh has been amazing for us and for myself as a young player, so it's going to be interesting being the old guy now, myself, being with him again. But it's going to be fun, though."
Warner and Saleh spoke via FaceTime after the hiring. While Saleh was pursuing another head coaching job, he expressed excitement about returning to the Bay Area as a coordinator.
"He showed his excitement when we were talking on the phone," Warner said. "And we have an opportunity to do something special this year."
Defensive end Nick Bosa, drafted a year after Warner, is also in Orlando and shared his thoughts on Robert Saleh's return to the 49ers.
"It's huge," Bosa said. "A familiar face, a guy that I've missed, and kind of didn't know how good we had when he was there. He FaceTimed me recently, and it was just great to see him. He's a great person and awesome coach. So I'm excited."
Bosa added, "The fire that you see on the sideline every game is what he was like on FaceTime."
Warner believes Saleh's energy will provide a much-needed boost to a defense that struggled this past season. He also praised his coach's ability to teach and ensure everyone is on the same page, which could help eliminate the frequent mistakes that contributed to the team's 6-11 record.
Looking ahead, Warner is determined to help the 49ers' defense return to its dominant form.
"Just get back to being dominant," Warner said. "That's just what I'm used to. And it's going to take a lot of work, a lot of hard effort, but I know we're capable of doing it."
Saleh wants Dre Greenlaw to return
Bosa revealed that Saleh is eager to keep linebacker Dre Greenlaw, another key defensive contributor, on the team.
"He's going to do what's best for him, and he should do that at this point in his career," Bosa shared. "But obviously, we want him back, and I know Saleh is very adamant about that."
Warner acknowledged that he's also been actively campaigning to keep Greenlaw in Santa Clara since the season ended.
"That's been my goal," Warner said. "I'll let them handle that, and hopefully, we can keep him."