The San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner are reportedly closing in on a multi-year contract extension, according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. Once the new deal is inked, Warner will be the third 49ers starter extended in the last month, following TE George Kittle and QB Brock Purdy. In April, the 49ers signed Kittle to a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension. On Friday, it was announced that Purdy and the 49ers have agreed to a five-year, $265 million deal.
Warner showed up for voluntary workouts last month despite not having a new deal. He signed a five-year, $95 million extension with San Francisco in 2021. That deal runs through the end of the 2026 season. Now it appears Warner is about to receive a new contract that will likely make him the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL.
San Francisco has been quick to extend its star players this offseason, a welcome change from previous seasons, which saw players like Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams wait until training camp or after to agree to new deals. Those negotiations were distracting, at times, so completing deals now improves the odds of the 49ers having a less dramatic summer.
As Chan noted, "The common thread between Purdy, Kittle, and Warner is not only their elite on-field abilities, but their status as leaders in the locker room. Even with potential extensions on the horizon, all three players have been at the facility participating in the offseason program."
Warner has proven his character and commitment to the team before, but showing up to voluntary workouts without a new contract adds to his legacy. It's one of the many reasons he's such a popular player with the fanbase. "I know my agent, the team, and all that — it will all (work) itself out," Warner said last month. "I'm obviously just ready to go to work and be the best version of myself."
In 2024, Warner played in all 17 games despite suffering a fractured ankle. Even through the injury, Warner still recorded 131 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and one interception. He made his fourth Pro Bowl and was named first-team All-Pro for the fourth time.
The seven-year veteran was drafted out of BYU in the 3rd round (70th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.