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Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the first half in the game at Caesars Superdome on September 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
T
he NFL offseason is in full swing. Now that the Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror, all 32 teams are hard at work on building a roster capable of winning a championship next season, utilizing both free agency and the draft to find missing pieces to the puzzle. For many teams, the offseason is about finding ways to return to prominence while for others, it is about maintaining the standards set the prior season.
For the San Francisco 49ers, a 12-5 season and a return to the playoffs was encouraging, but injuries to several key stars prevented the franchise from reaching their full potential. One of the players that the 49ers saw get injured was star linebacker, Fred Warner. A staple on the 49ers’ defense since he was drafted in 2018, Warner has evolved into the NFL’s best linebacker and is arguably the heart and soul of the 49ers’ core. But one reporter suggested that in an offseason where the 49ers need to retool, moving Warner could be in consideration– even if it would be detrimental to the historic franchise.
Reporter Suggests 49ers Consider Trading Warner
A four-time Pro Bowler and four-time First-team All-Pro selection, Warner is elite and over the years, has unquestionably evolved into one of the NFL’s top linebackers and overall players. Signing a massive three-year contract extension with the 49ers last offseason, the team is committed to keeping their leader in the Bay Area for the long haul. But according to reporter, Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, the idea was floated around if the 49ers can find a way to get back one of their former defensive stars.
“I don’t know if San Francisco will trade Warner,” Stapleton tweeted. “Heard they might consider it if somehow they could get Dre Greenlaw back in the fold.”
The 49ers themselves have not confirmed any rumors surrounding Warner, but if what Stapleton is saying is true, it will not sit well with the 49ers’ fan base. While Greenlaw put together a very strong 49ers career during his tenure with the team from 2019-24, he is not on the same level as Warner and did not have the same impact, mainly leadership wise, that Warner has.
Warner’s 49ers Career
A third round draft pick in 2018, Warner immediately became a core part of the 49ers’ defense, starting all 16 games as a rookie and ending the year with 124 total tackles, including 85 solo tackles. In 2020, Warner earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection when he finished the season with 125 tackles in 16 games. His best season thus far came in 2021, where in 16 games (missing one), he totaled 137 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four passes defended, one fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.
Coming off of an ankle injury, Warner is ready to make up for lost time in 2026 and is prepared once again to lead the 49ers defense. If Warner can return at full strength and play just like he did before his injury, expect the 49ers to look much improved this fall.
Dylan Grausz A lifelong sports fan, Dylan channels his passion for sports into being a journalist, where his primary goal is to provide readers with content that they love to read. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dylan’s love for the Warriors, 49ers and Giants runs deep, having the ultimate dream of being a beat reporter for one of those teams. More about Dylan Grausz
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