49ers’ top 4 MVP candidates: Can anyone beat George Kittle?
By Peter Panacy
49ers MVP Candidate No. 2: Linebacker Fred Warner
The best way to predict the future is by looking at past actions, right?
If that’s the case, All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has to be a strong candidate to take home San Francisco’s team MVP award… again.
Warner was named both the 2020 Len Eshmont Award and Bill Walsh Award winner, the former going to the player who best demonstrates courage on the field, while the latter is given to the 49ers player who best exemplifies excellence.
Read More: 49ers predictions: Fred Warner will be team MVP in 2021
Those two are essentially the Niners’ team MVP awards, although their meanings are notably different but nevertheless prestigious.
Warner has been San Francisco’s leading tackler in all three of his pro seasons, regularly hovering towards the top of NFL leaderboards in that specific category. But Warner’s value goes far beyond the stats, as his leadership and playmaking skills have helped keep the 49ers defense at the top of the ranks the last two seasons.
If the Niners once again ride their defense to any kind of substantial success in 2021, Warner will be the main reason why.