In an offseason of big deals to retain their core, the San Francisco 49ers added one more by signing All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner to an extension.
The guaranteed money is worth noting. Too often, fans and analysts focus on the initial number, when non-guaranteed money might as well not exist. Guaranteeing 88% of the contract is a bet on Warner’s health and production to continue.
The 28-year-old Warner has been a first-team All-Pro in four of the last five seasons. This deal reflects his position amongst off-ball linebackers in the league. Since he had two years remaining on his five-year, $95 million deal, this extension lowers the cap hit for the 49ers while adding new money for Warner. Assuming this deal doesn’t void the remaining two years, this essentially locks up Fred for the next five years at $99.5 million.
On the DraftKings Sportsbook, the 49ers are seventh in Super Bowl odds at +2000. They’re fourth in odds to win the NFC at +950 and +145 to win the NFC West. An offseason where they hammered out every extension they needed to do was crucial to contending this season. Armed with a (hopefully) healthy core and the easiest NFL schedule based on win percentage, watch out for these 49ers in 2025/26.
