The San Francisco 49ers are ready to return to the top of the NFC. Returning to the field for training camp after a disappointing run in 2024, the 49ers are ready to get back to being the best team in the NFC. The franchise is expecting big things in 2025 and are eager to prove that they can still compete at a high level with their current core.
And this offseason, the team made it point to invest in their stars, giving Brock Purdy, Fred Warner and George Kittle big contract extensions to remain in San Francisco longterm. Warner is especially an important one– developing as a top linebacker in the NFL throughout his career. But, not everyone shares the same opinion of how good Warner is.
NFL.com Snubs Warner of Top Spot
Since entering league as a third round draft pick in 2018, Warner has developed into one of the NFL’s best linebackers, earning four Pro Bowl trips and four First-team All-Pro selections since 2020. Entering 2025, Warner is widely regarded as the face of the linebacker position, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranking him as the league’s best on July 15. But according to NFL.com, Warner is not quite there– sitting at No. 2 behind Washington Commanders star, Bobby Wagner.
“Warner, who recently signed a three-year extension with the 49ers, is a freak athlete who routinely finds ways to impact the game,” NFL Network analyst, Manti Te’o said about Warner. “His experience playing a hybrid linebacker/safety role in college helped him become a skilled player in coverage, but he can also lower the boom in the backfield and turn the ball over.”
“The unquestioned leader of San Francisco’s defense has compiled at least 125 tackles in five of his seven seasons, earning first-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors four times,” Te’o added. “Warner shows no signs of slowing down in Year 8 and should continue his playmaking ways with Robert Saleh back as his defensive coordinator.”
Why Is Wagner Higher?
Warner is a stud, and Te’o agrees that his talent is elite. But Wagner’s longevity is a major reason why Te’o has him ranked higher. Wagner, entering his age-35 season, earned a contract extension with the Commanders this offseason after yet another spectacular campaign in 2024– earning his 10th Pro Bowl trip and 11th All-Pro selection after recording 132 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
“He is one of the most cerebral players at the linebacker position, which is why the 10-time Pro Bowler has been able to play at such a high level throughout his career,” Te’o said. “He’s great at dissecting plays and alerting the defense pre-snap, and his post-snap reactions are precise, as he rarely takes a false step. Naturally, the 35-year-old has slowed some, recording three of his lowest Pro Football Focus coverage grades in the last four seasons, but his ability to move efficiently has allowed him to stay near the top of the league in tackling, blitzing and run-stuffing.”
Regardless of the rankings, there is no doubt that both Wagner and Warner have transformed the linebacker position and have set a new standard for greatness. Both are on the trajectory for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and there is no doubt that whenever Wagner and Warner retire, their presence will be missed throughout the entire NFL.
