49ers Sign Warner to Historic Contract

Another handshake has been made in this busy stretch of the offseason for the San Francisco 49ers.

Fred Warner has signed a three-year, $63 million contract extension with the 49ers, making him the NFL's highest-paid linebacker. According to insider Adam Schefter, Warner's deal includes $56 million in guaranteed money.

This is the second time Warner has signed a contract that made him the league's highest-paid linebacker. His previous contract with San Fran was set to expire after the 2026 season.

This signing keeps the 49ers busy after a relatively slow free agency period earlier. Just days ago, San Francisco extended quarterback Brock Purdy (five-year, $265 million) and star tight end George Kittle (four-year, $76.4 million).

Kittle's also makes him the current highest-paid player at his position, while Purdy now becomes the highest-paid player in 49ers history.

Warner spoke recently about how important those earlier deals were to his eventual signing and the rest of the offseason program.

"I think it’s obviously worked out really well, being able to knock those things out earlier,” Warner said. “Allowing us to focus just purely on ball and getting better as a team, so things are moving in the right direction.”

That direction has now reached a conclusion.

Warner, a third-round pick of San Francisco in 2018, has become the face of the 49ers defense as one of the game's best interior linebackers.

Last season, he continued an impressive stretch of reaching the 100-tackles threshold for the fourth consecutive year.

Warner, 28, can argue that he is still clearly within his prime, having played all 17 games the past three seasons and amassing over 75 solo tackles in each of those campaigns. 

He'll now continue to add to his four-time 1st Team All-Pro career in the Bay Area for many years to come.