Fred Warner, the San Francisco 49ers' four-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl linebacker, continues to solidify his status as one of the NFL's premier defenders.
Warner added another accolade to his résumé on Wednesday, being named NFC Defensive Player of the Year for the fourth time in his career. Only two other 49ers players have achieved this feat: teammate Nick Bosa, a five-time winner, and Merton Hanks, also a five-time recipient.
Warner was in contention for NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season before suffering a bone fracture in his ankle during the Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots. Remarkably, he played through the injury for the remainder of the season, not missing a single game.
Ahead of Wednesday's practice, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed Warner's continued dominance and whether he believes Warner is back at the level that once put him in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.
"Yeah, I do," Shanahan said. "I think Fred kind of always plays at that level. I know he was playing through some stuff last year, and I think it was more how we were playing around him also, or just as much as that. But Fred, well deserved with what he did last week. I feel like he can almost get that every week.
"But Fred's having a hell of a year so far, but I can't think of a year he hasn't, though."
Through the first two games of the 2025 season, Warner has already recorded 19 tackles (two for a loss), a pass defensed, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He's on track for yet another standout season with the 49ers.
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