Fred Warner, 49ers Reportedly 'Very Close' to New Contract After Purdy, Kittle Deals

The San Francisco 49ers are "very close" to reaching an extension agreement with star linebacker Fred Warner, according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area.

A potential extension will "likely" make Warner the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL, per Chan.

The 49ers have already agreed to long-term deals with several key contributors during the 2025 offseason, handing extensions to Brock Purdy and George Kittle.

Purdy became the seventh-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL on an average annual basis after signing a five-year contract worth $265 million, via Spotrac.

Meanwhile, Kittle's average salary of $19.1 million on his four-year, $76.4 million extension is the highest among all tight ends.

As for Warner, he's currently signed through the 2026 season. He's set to carry cap hits of $29.2 million in 2025 and $26.7 million in 2026, which can be lowered with a possible extension.

While contract talks between both sides were reportedly dormant in April, negotiations appeared to ramp up recently.

The four-time first-team All-Pro linebacker provided a positive extension update on Saturday.

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

The 28-year-old has spent all seven years of his career in San Francisco, developing into one of the NFL's top defensive players.

While the 49ers wrapped up a 6-11 finish in 2024, Warner was one of the few bright spots on the team. He racked up 131 tackles, seven passes defensed, five tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and one sack.

As San Francisco attempts to return to the NFC playoff picture in 2025, the front office is reportedly nearing an extension with Warner.