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The San Francisco 49ers have locked down the core of their defense for years to come, agreeing to a three-year, $63 million extension with All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. The deal, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, includes over $56 million in guaranteed money and makes Warner the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL — for the second time in his career.
Warner, 28, still had two years left on his existing five-year, $95 million deal. But the Niners opted to strike early again, securing one of the game’s elite defensive anchors while strategically reducing his massive $29.2 million salary cap hit in 2025.
The 49ers have dealt with lingering contract drama in recent offseasons — from Nick Bosa to Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk. But with deals now done for Fred Warner, Brock Purdy and George Kittle, they now could be headed for a near drama-free training camp.
“It’s obviously worked out really well being able to knock those things out earlier,” Warner said over the weekend, referencing the team’s proactive approach to extensions this offseason. “Allowing us to focus just purely on ball and getting better as a team, so things are moving in the right direction.”
Warner now joins tight end George Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy as key 49ers stars who’ve secured extensions before training camp. Unlike past offseasons that were filled with contract distractions, San Francisco's front office clearly made it a point this year to eliminate off-field noise and give head coach Kyle Shanahan a clean runway heading into the 2025 season.
Fred Warner, 49ers agree to a deal to avoid offseason drama
A third-round pick out of BYU in 2018, Warner has developed into arguably the best off-ball linebacker in the league. He's been a first-team All-Pro selection in four of his seven seasons and has missed just one game in his career — a testament to both his durability and consistency.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have repeatedly praised Warner not just for his on-field performance, but also for his leadership and the tone he sets across the locker room. In a defense that has seen stars come and go, Warner has been the steady presence, quarterbacking the unit with unmatched intelligence and intensity.
The timing of the extension is also notable. With organized team activities (OTAs) in full swing and training camp on the horizon, the 49ers have now avoided the kind of prolonged contract sagas that once slowed preseason momentum. Last year, several deals were unresolved heading into camp, which contributed to a slow start the team never fully recovered from. Now, there’s no such excuse.
That also means the pressure is fully on Shanahan. With the roster locked in, key players extended, and one of the softest schedules in recent memory, missing the playoffs would be seen as a failure — and not one that can be blamed on front-office drama.
Warner, for his part, made it clear he’s ready to focus on football. “I’ve got everything I need here,” he said. “I’m just trying to help us win a championship.”
With this deal done, the 49ers’ quest for one just got more stable — and a lot more expensive. But keeping the heart of their defense was always going to come at a premium.
