Considering what Robert Saleh did for his career, Fred Warner is absolutely overjoyed with the defensive mind's return to the 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers' biggest storyline of the offseason, aside from the fact they missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season, is the reunification with their former defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh.
Saleh, following a brief period of uncertainty, returns to his former position he vacated back in 2021 after a tumultuous tenure as the New York Jets' head coach.
Considering the lackluster efforts from the Niners defense under one-and-done coordinator Nick Sorensen in 2024, Saleh's return is an absolute blessing.
Even if there are plenty of to-do items on the coordinator's task sheet.
One player who is overjoyed at Saleh's return is perennial All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who started his NFL career under the defensive play caller as a third-round rookie in 2018 out of BYU.
Putting it bluntly, Warner is stoked to have Saleh back.
Fred Warner is thrilled Robert Saleh is back with 49ers
Speaking to FanSided's Stacking the Box Podcast from Radio Row in New Orleans, Louisiana, on behalf of Experian, Warner couldn't hold back the excitement for Saleh's return.
"So excited," Warner told STB when asked about Saleh coming back to the Bay Area. "I can't even speak to how excited I am because this is the guy who started it all for me. He was one of the main reasons for me being a Niner and doing well in this system."
You can check out the full interview with Warner (and others) in the video below:
Saleh apparently pounded the table for San Francisco to draft Warner back in 2018.
"He knows how to obviously coach his defense at a high level," Warner added. "We've been at the top [under Saleh], and I'm excited to get back to the top.
Of course, it would help if the 49ers retain one of Warner's favorite players this offseason.
Fred Warner credits Dre Greenlaw for his own growth, badly wants him back with 49ers
Warner didn't shy away from recognizing his linebacking mate, Dre Greenlaw, as a primary reason for his own growth and success.
Unfortunately, Warner had to reminisce about how big an emotional blow it was to lose Greenlaw to an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl a year ago, which turned into a massive turning point in the Kansas City Chiefs' victory over the Niners.
A pending free agent, there are fewer bigger champions for San Francisco retaining Greenlaw than Warner who referred to the former as his "younger brother."
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"As bad as anybody," Warner responded when asked about wanting to see Greenlaw back in a 49ers uniform in 2025. "That's the guy I feel has allowed me to ascend in this league because of his ascension and the type of player he is. How unselfish a player he is. How ferocious of a player and a human being he is.
"People, they look at me. But you can't see me without seeing him. So, I hope we get him back."
Undoubtedly, Niners fans feel the same way and are likely hoping Saleh goes to bat for Greenlaw's necessary return this offseason.