Fred Warner, 49ers Reportedly Haven't Had 'Any Substantive' Contract Talks

The San Francisco 49ers and star linebacker Fred Warner "have yet to have any substantive talks about a possible extension, but the veteran team leader is likely to report" to the team's voluntary offseason workout program starting on Tuesday, per The Athletic's Mike Silver.

Warner is under contract for two more seasons with the Niners, with a base salary of $17.6 million in each season and cap hits of $29.1 million in 2025 and $26.7 million in 2026.

Warner, 28, is a four-time first-team All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler. He posted 100 or more tackles in all seven of his NFL seasons, registering 131 tackles (five for loss), two interceptions, seven passes defensed, four forced fumbles and a sack last season.

He's also been incredibly durable in his career, missing just one game. That included playing through a broken bone in his ankle in 2024, appearing in all 17 games.

"It's something I deal with every game," he told reporters in November. "I get on that table before the game and get it shot up every single game just to be able to roll. But it's not an excuse. It's just what it is. That's the NFL. You're not going to be healthy. You've got to go out there, you've got to find ways to execute, to play at a high level and to win every single week."

Restructuring or extending Warner's deal would make sense for both sides. Warner could add some guaranteed money to the agreement, something he doesn't currently have, while the Niners could lower his cap hits over the next two seasons (which could become very important with a Brock Purdy extension looming).

Warner is reliable and productive, and keeping him happy should be a priority for the Niners. As they've shown in negotiations with their stars in the past, however, this situation could end up being an elongated affair.