Fred Warner, the brilliant young linebacker of the San Francisco 49ers, has closed a three-year, $63 million extension. This new agreement arrives in the nick of time as the 49ers have been working to finalize their roster for a run at next fall’s season. Warner’s extension provides the team with some financial flexibility for this year’s salary cap. It protects an asset that might be their most important defensive asset.
The new deal not only gives Warner the security of a long-term contract with the 49ers but allows for some clever financial maneuvering. The contract does a creditable job of shifting money, adding guarantees and pushing down near-term cap numbers on salary and bonus money. This new approach’s goal is to give the team more wiggle room in its overall financial strategy.
Warner had just signed a five-year, $95 million extension in 2021 that had two years left on it. The best thing the 49ers did was re-extend his contract. This decision checked off one of their most pressing offseason to-dos. Warner’s current contract provided a strong jumping off point for the extension. As a result, we found the entire process more enjoyable on both sides.
The 49ers made Warner’s extension a priority as they looked to get all their roster transactions in place before their season opener next week. His play on the field has made him one of the most irreplaceable players on the team, even further into the team’s defense. As one of the NFL’s top linebackers, securing his future with the organization was essential for the 49ers’ overall strategy.
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