49ers Sign Fred Warner to NFL's Highest-Paid Linebacker Extension

The San Francisco 49ers have secured linebacker Fred Warner with a three-year, $63 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL with $56 million guaranteed. Warner, a four-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, has consistently demonstrated elite performance, recording over 118 combined tackles each season of his career. The extension not only rewards Warner's leadership and on-field impact but also strategically manages the team's salary cap by lowering near-term cap hits. Despite this lucrative deal, some fans argue Warner remains underpaid due to the NFL's positional market valuations, which they believe prioritize position labels over individual player value. This sentiment is part of a broader critique echoed with other players like Saquon Barkley, suggesting that market dynamics in the NFL often disadvantage top performers at less traditionally 'valued' positions. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills also reinforced their defense by signing cornerback Christian Benford to a four-year, $76 million extension, highlighting his rise as one of the league's most underrated cornerbacks based on advanced coverage metrics.