Though retired, Willis remains a passionate fan of football. When asked to name his favorite linebackers, he acknowledged the difficulty of making comparisons but highlighted a few standouts.
"It's kind of hard to compare," Willis explained. "I'm a person, I don't like to compare it. I always feel like everyone is their own individual. I will say there are some great linebacker play happening in the NFL. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I feel [49ers LB] Fred [Warner] is still the number one linebacker, him and [Ravens LB] Roquan [Smith].
"Feel like they are 1A, 1B. They're both right there, and both are very good—the different things that they do make them All-Pros, which they are. I enjoy watching good football and seeing guys get after it, and have a fanatical effort. [49ers LB] Dre Greenlaw, when healthy, is one of the best. When Dre and Fred are together, man, they are a joy to watch."
Widely regarded as one of the NFL's top defenders, Warner will enter his eighth season in 2025. A four-time first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, he has been a consistent force on the 49ers defense.
Meanwhile, Greenlaw hasn't achieved the same accolades but remains a key contributor when healthy. Together, the duo is considered one of the NFL's best. Unfortunately, Greenlaw missed most of the 2024 season as he recovered from a torn Achilles. His return to the football field was cut short by another setback, and the linebacker is scheduled to become a free agent.
"I enjoy watching good defense, good football, and the play of Fred and Roquan," Willis continued. "I like Nakobe Dean from the Eagles. I'm just a fan of defenders, as I was when I was a kid. ... I just watched the game, and you see the effort. You see guys getting after it, land, the boom, high energy, 100% effort. Those are guys I've always been a fan of, so I'm just a fan of the game, defenders, and those who get after it."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Hall of Fame adds dynasty legend Keena Turner as 34th inductee
The San Francisco 49ers and the York family announced that linebacker Keena Turner will become the 34th inductee into the Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame. Turner's induction ceremony will take place in San Francisco's Week 6 matchup against the... -
49ers star Fred Warner names young defensive breakout candidates
San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner is preparing to enter his ninth NFL season. Yet it doesn't seem that long ago that he was a newcomer quickly making a name for himself on an evolving 49ers defense. Warner spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan at his... -
49ers All-Pro George Kittle: Mike Evans was 'cooking everybody' during OTAs
Mike Evans is expected to elevate the San Francisco 49ers offense in 2026, giving quarterback Brock Purdy a big-bodied red-zone weapon—arguably the best of his NFL career. While Evans has not typically participated in organized team activities (OTAs), which are voluntary... -
49ers and Maxx Crosby: Albert Breer weighs in on potential blockbuster trade
Many believe the San Francisco 49ers could benefit from adding another proven veteran pass rusher to their defensive front. While the defense will welcome back Nick Bosa and expects 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams to return to the lineup at some point, the team could still...