San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner hosted his annual ProCamps youth football event over the weekend at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, working with kids in grades 1 through 8. During the camp, participants had the chance to ask the All-Pro questions—one of which stood out for obvious reasons.
“They asked me who the best quarterback in the league is,” Warner told NBC Sports Bay Area. “Of course, Brock Purdy is always my answer.”
However, Warner admitted that there is a pattern to how he handles those types of questions.
“Anytime they ask about any position, I’m over there naming my teammates all day long,” he added with a smile.
Purdy is on the verge of becoming a very wealthy man. He and the 49ers recently agreed to a five-year, $265 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history and one of the highest-paid in the NFL. Warner shared his thoughts on the monumental deal, which is expected to be finalized this week.
“Yeah, man, best in the world,” Warner said. “I love Brock. Obviously, his story, his journey so far, has been tremendous. And to think that it’s just getting started is so awesome for him. And obviously, super excited for him and getting this deal done. And like I said, it’s just the beginning.”
This offseason, the 49ers have prioritized securing new deals for both Purdy and tight end George Kittle, two core playmakers. Warner could be next. Jennifer Lee Chan recently reported that the team is closing in on a new extension for the All-Pro linebacker.
When asked about the 49ers’ aggressive approach to contract negotiations, striking deals early rather than letting them drag into the season, Warner emphasized the value of minimizing distractions.
“I think it’s obviously worked out really well being able to knock those things out earlier, allowing us to just focus purely on ball and getting better as a team,” he said. “So things are moving in the right direction.”
Purdy reported with the rest of the team for the start of the offseason program and now has his contract in place ahead of organized team activities (OTAs), which begin next week. That gives him the freedom to focus entirely on preparing for what the 49ers hope will be a strong bounce-back season in 2025, following a disappointing six-win campaign.
“Brock, he’s just made of the right stuff,” Warner added. “He cares about his teammates, cares about getting better every single day. And so, that’s exactly what he’s been doing, and he has been rewarded as such.”
