49ers Lock Up Fred Warner with Record $63M Extension in SF

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers on Monday agreed to a three-year contract extension with Pro Bowl linebacker Fred Warner worth $63 million, catapulting him past Baltimore's Roquan Smith to become the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in NFL history at $21 million per year. ESPN first reported the deal, which includes more than $56 million in guaranteed money and secures Warner through the 2029 season, according to a person familiar with the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Warner, a Bay Area staple since being drafted in 2018 out of BYU, had two years left on his prior five-year, $95 million pact from 2021 — once the richest for his position.

This extension marks the third pricey deal for San Francisco's star-studded core since the draft, following quarterback Brock Purdy's five-year, $265 million contract and tight end George Kittle's four-year, $76.4 million extension. Warner, a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl LVIII participant, anchors a 49ers defense that ranked top-five in points allowed last season, fueling Levi's Stadium faithful's Super Bowl hopes. The move underscores general manager John Lynch's aggressive roster-building in Santa Clara, locking in homegrown talent amid California's intense NFL spotlight.

Fans at local haunts like the ThirstyBear Brewing Company in San Francisco erupted online after Ian Rapoport's report, hailing Warner as the "heart of the defense." With Warner's leadership — including his coverage prowess and tackle totals — the Niners aim to end a title drought dating to 1994, especially after recent NFC Championship heartbreaks. The extension positions San Francisco for a deep playoff run in the 2025 season.