Fred Warner secures the latest monster contract extension from the San Francisco 49ers and it lines up perfectly with their next competitive rebuild

Warner’s new contract terms average out to be $21 million per season, which pushes Warner back to the top spot among stack linebackers in the NFL. Baltimore’s Roquan Smith previously held the mantle for highest-paid stack linebacker with an annual average salary of $20 million per year. San Francisco did this deal proactively, as Warner had two years remaining on his previous contract and will now be under control for five seasons including the 2025 campaign.

At 28 years of age, Warner is still in the prime of his career and should be considered a viable candidate to age gracefully throughout the full terms of this deal. That is, of course, assuming that his body cooperates and he stays healthy. But there’s little doubt here about Warner’s status as the best off-ball linebacker in the game. The range, instincts and coverage ability he provides the 49ers serves as a staple that defensive gameplans can be tied to. And, thanks to the coverage spacing facing today’s NFL defenses, the second-level has never faced more strain and stress than they do today.

In that sense, the 49ers are wise to covet one of the few true game changers at the position. Because of how unique and versatile Warner is as a talent, he serves as a problem solver that most opponents are unaccustomed to having to try to navigate throughout the week of prep.

With San Francisco shedding down talent this offseason, it’s clear that the 49ers went about their business strategizing which pieces serve as the best needle movers for the next chapter of the organization. Now, they’re speaking loud and clear with their wallets. Purdy, Kittle and Warner — along with Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deommodore Lenoir — are the centerpieces on which the foundation in San Francisco is to be built for 2025 and beyond. Each of these six players is now set to be under contract through at least the 2028 season on second or third contracts with major money tied to their names.

The good news for the 49ers? That’s the kind of nucleus that can still win a lot of football games together if the pieces around them are wisely selected. That’s the next objective for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch — with the 2025 NFL Draft hopefully serving as a good start.