49ers roster: Predicting extensions for Fred Warner, Nick Bosa
By Peter Panacy
49ers Linebacker Fred Warner
Niners fans would rightfully argue Fred Warner is the NFL’s No. 1 linebacker right now.
Warner earned his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nods in 2020, which were well-deserved, but the kicker is he received only $1.096 million in year three of his rookie contract.
Talk about a deal.
Currently, the average annual value market for linebackers is set by the Seattle Seahawks‘ Bobby Wagner at $18 million per year. Wagner, a perennial Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro, too, commands the market but also turns 31 years old later this month.
Related Story: 49ers better extend Fred Warner sooner than later
Considering Warner is just hitting his peak at 24 years old, it’s safe to say he could end up commanding more than Wagner.
Spotrac.com’s market-value tool suggests Warner is worth an annual average value of $17.1 million on a five-year deal. But the caveat and fiscal competition for Warner’s extension, for which he’s now eligible, is likely to be felt more from Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, who could push the market well beyond $18 million annually, too.
It would be in the Niners’ best interest to beat the Indy to the punch, setting the new linebacker market first before the Colts have the chance to do it with Leonard.
If so, Warner would still end up being the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history, although no San Francisco fan would complain whatsoever.