49ers star Fred Warner has become the league’s highest paid inside linebacker after agreeing to a huge new extension with the team.
According to multiple reports, the 28-year-old will sign a three-year, $63million deal to remain in San Francisco, with over $56million guaranteed.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, this is actually the second time that Warner has received a contract which made him the league’s highest-paid player at his position. The former BYU standout also signed a five-year, $95million deal in 2021.
Roquan Smith had been the league’s highest-paid inside linebacker by average annual value after signing a five-year, $100million extension with the Ravens in 2023, though Warner’s $21million per season will now surpass that.
Warner’s lucrative new deal will actually lower his 2025 and 2026 cap numbers, per ESPN, which would have been $29.17million and $26.71million respectively.
Warner is a four-time All-Pro and has spent his entire career in San Francisco since being drafted by the team in 2018.
Fred Warner has become the league’s highest-paid linebacker for a second time
Warner and his wife, Sydney, are seen at the DraftKings and Sports Illustrated All-Star Party
Despite a down year for the 49ers in 2024, he had another impressive season as he racked up 131 tackles, five tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.
The deal to extend Warner comes after the 49ers also rewarded Brock Purdy and George Kittle with big deals this offseason.
Purdy agreed to a five-year $265million extension with the franchise over the weekend, according to multiple reports.
And All-Pro tight end Kittle signed a four-year extension worth $76.4 million in April.
The 49ers missed the playoffs last year a season after reaching the Super Bowl, as they were hamstrung by injuries to their offense, namely running back Christian McCaffrey.
