Report: 49ers' Fred Warner becomes highest-paid LB

Four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has agreed to a three-year, $63 million contract extension to remain with the San Francisco 49ers through 2029, ESPN reported on Monday.

The deal would include $56 million in guaranteed money for Warner, a four-time Pro Bowler who has played for the 49ers since he was drafted out of BYU in the third round in 2018.

As a result, Warner is in line to become the NFL's highest-paid linebacker -- the second such time he achieved the feat. He signed a five-year, $95 million extension in 2021 that first put him atop the list. Now, he tops Baltimore's Roquan Smith, who landed a five-year, $100 million deal in 2023.

Warner has appeared in 115 games for the 49ers, totaling 897 tackles, 10 sacks and 10 interceptions. His 15 forced fumbles rank second in franchise history, just one behind Hall of Famer Patrick Willis.

Last year, Warner led the 49ers with 131 tackles, marking the seventh straight year he posted the team's season-high mark.

Warner's reported re-signing is just the latest in a string of key moves by San Francisco, which recently agreed to extensions with quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle.

San Francisco has advanced to at least the NFC Championship Game four times in the past six seasons, including two trips to the Super Bowl. The 49ers, though, are coming off their first missed postseason since 2020 after going 6-11.

--Field Level Media