After locking up star quarterback Brock Purdy with a massive new deal, the San Francisco 49ers rewarded another key player on the other side of the ball.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers signed star linebacker Fred Warner to a three-year, $63 million contract extension on Monday that includes over $56 million in guaranteed money, making him the NFL’s highest-paid linebacker. His previous deal was set to expire at the end of the 2026 season.
Jennifer Lee Chan had reported on Sunday that the 49ers were “very close to finalizing a multiyear contract extension” with Warner that “likely will make the All-Pro the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL.”
This continues a busy offseason in San Francisco. The team signed Purdy to a five-year, $265 million deal that includes $181 million in overall guaranteed money on May 16. Also, the 49ers signed star tight end George Kittle to a four-year, $76.4 million extension that made him the highest-paid tight end in the league.
Warner has been one of San Francisco’s best defensive players since he arrived in the league as a third-round pick in the 2018 draft. He’s recorded over 100 tackles in each of his seven years in the NFL, earning four Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro first-team honors four times.
In 2024, Warner was one of the lone bright spots in a disappointing season for the 49ers, as he produced 131 total tackles, a sack, four forced fumbles, seven passes defended and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. San Francisco finished with a 6-11 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
By signing Warner to Monday’s extension, the 49ers are ensuring that one of the most consistent defensive players in the NFL will continue to lead them as they try to earn their first Super Bowl title since 1994.
