49ers news: Fred Warner signs massive five-year extension

The 49ers reached a deal with their star linebacker, Fred Warner, to keep him in San Francisco for the next five seasons, making him the highest paid at his position.

The San Francisco 49ers made the former third-round draft pick the highest paid linebacker in the NFL on Wednesday, signing 2020 All-Pro Fred Warner to a massive contract extension.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter had the move first:

Schefter later added the numbers, which are reported to be a five-year, $95 million deal with $40.5 million guaranteed.

The Niners selected Warner in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Brigham Young, and the linebacker was immediately given the green helmet dot in his first training camp, making him the de facto captain and play-caller for the defense as a rookie.

Warner has yet to miss a game in three seasons for the 49ers, leading his team in tackles each year since being drafted, racking up 367 total tackles, four sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 21 passes defended, and three interceptions, including a pick-six in 2019 against the Los Angeles Rams.

He also played in all three playoff games of the Niners’ 2019 playoff run, recording 20 more tackles, an interception, and two passes defended.

In 2020, Warner earned his first All-Pro nod and was voted into the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career during what was otherwise a tough season for the 49ers.

Warner’s new deal will keep him in San Francisco through the 2026 season. The details of the deal will come soon, but Warner joins left tackle Trent Williams and tight end George Kittle as 49ers who are the highest paid at their respective positions.

That means the Niners have a solid core of players set for the long term that feature as some of the best players in the entire NFL.