Santa Clara, CA – June 2, 2025
In a league full of elite athletes and fast-twitch defenders, Fred Warner isn’t just standing out — he’s standing alone. According to Pro Football Focus, Warner isn’t just the best linebacker in the game right now. He’s in a tier of his own, unchallenged, unbothered, and undeniably unmatched.
There’s a reason for that. While most linebackers specialize — some dominate in the run game, others excel in coverage — Warner does it all. And he does it better than anyone. PFF’s data backs it up: a coverage grade of 93.3 and a run-defense grade of 91.6 over the past five seasons, a rare combination of consistency and versatility that’s made Warner the heartbeat of San Francisco’s defense.
“He’s not just a linebacker — he’s an eraser,” one NFC coach told The Athletic. “He erases mistakes before they even happen.”
Since taking over the middle of the 49ers' defense in 2018, Warner has redefined the modern linebacker role. He’s not just making tackles; he’s calling coverages, shifting alignments, and eliminating tight ends and slot receivers in space — roles typically reserved for elite safeties. And unlike many of his peers, Warner doesn’t need to come off the field. He’s built for every down, every situation, every moment.
What separates Warner even further is his mind. He’s often compared to a quarterback for how he diagnoses plays, adjusts schemes, and communicates audibles pre-snap. In Kyle Shanahan’s system — one that thrives on intelligence and trust — Warner isn’t just a cog in the machine. He’s the engine.
“Fred’s the one guy we lean on every snap,” Shanahan said. “You take him out of the equation, and our entire defensive identity shifts.”
Of course, even the best need a support system. Dre Greenlaw, Warner’s longtime running mate, has been key in allowing Warner to play downhill and command the passing lanes. But even when Greenlaw has missed time, Warner has never faltered. In fact, his level of play only sharpens under pressure.
Now playing on a three-year, $63 million extension — the highest salary for an inside linebacker in league history — Warner knows the expectations are higher than ever. But he’s never shied from the spotlight. Instead, he’s made it home.
As the 49ers prepare for another Super Bowl run, the stakes are clear. The NFC is stacked. The window is tight. And everything — from Brock Purdy’s growth to Steve Wilks’ returning defense — will lean on the man in the middle.
Fred Warner doesn’t just anchor the defense. He defines it. And in today’s NFL, there’s no one quite like him.
