San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner joined FanSided's Stacking the Box podcast on Wednesday from Radio Row in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Naturally, the star defender was asked about the return of Robert Saleh, who reclaimed the defensive coordinator role he had held from 2017 to 2020.
The 49ers drafted Warner in 2018, Saleh's second season on head coach Kyle Shanahan's staff. Warner spent three seasons working with Saleh before the coach left to become the head coach of the New York Jets.
So, how does Warner feel about reuniting with his former coach?
"So excited," Warner told hosts Sterling Holmes and Patrick Allen. "I can't even speak to how excited I am because this is the guy that started it all for me. [He] is one of the main reasons for me being a Niner and doing well in this system.
"And he knows how to, obviously, coach his defense at a high level. We've been at the top, and I'm excited to get back to being at the top."
Warner reflected on the unique experience of playing against Saleh in this past season's regular-season opener against the Jets. After the game, the two met at midfield to express their mutual admiration.
"I think I'm going into year eight," Warner said. "The fact that our paths have now crossed back together in San Fran, it's almost like it was destined for him to come back, get back to being a defensive coordinator, ultimately get that next step going forward."
Warner on Dre Greenlaw
While in New Orleans, Warner reflected on last year's Super Bowl heartbreak and watching his close friend and teammate, Dre Greenlaw, suffer a torn Achilles during the contest.
"That was a humongous, just emotional dump in the game for myself," Warner admitted.
Greenlaw returned briefly this past season, appearing in two games before a setback sidelined him for the final two weeks. With Greenlaw set to hit free agency, Warner was asked how badly he wants his defensive partner back.
"Oh, man, as bad as anybody," Warner responded. "That's the guy, I feel like, that has allowed me to ascend in this league ... because of his ascension and the type of player that he is, how unselfish of a player that he is, how ferocious of a human being in a player that he is.
"And so, people, they look at me, but you can't see me without him, so I hope we get him back."
Eliminating all weaknesses
Warner is widely regarded as the best linebacker in football. His accolades include four Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors. What sets him apart from other linebackers in the league?
"I try to just eliminate all weaknesses in my game," Warner explained. "I try to be great at everything, whether it be the run game [or] the pass game. And I developed this knack for getting the football, punching it out, getting it out of the air, whether in interceptions and stuff like that. So I think takeaways is a big part of it.
"But at the end of the day, I try to just shore up any weaknesses I do have in my game, to where a team looking at the film can't be like, 'Oh, we're going to attack this guy this way.' You just want to try to make sure that you're as complete of a player as possible."
H/t to Peter Panacy of Niner Noise for the find.
