Fred Warner Holds Court at Super Bowl Radio Row: 'It's Hard to Find a Weakness' with Seahawks
49ers Star Weighs in on Super Bowl LX
As the NFL world descends upon the Bay Area for Super Bowl LX, San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has been making the rounds on Radio Row, offering his unique perspective as one of the league's elite defenders. While his own team fell short of the championship game, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round, Warner has been a prominent and thoughtful voice throughout the week's festivities. His presence serves as a reminder of the 49ers' standing as a perennial contender and his own status as a defensive captain and four-time First-Team All-Pro.
Never one to shy away from a tough question, Warner addressed the upcoming Super Bowl matchup between the division-rival Seahawks and the New England Patriots. With a clear (and expected) bias, he made his rooting interests known, albeit with a laugh. "I like the Patriots by 50," Warner joked on a recent podcast appearance before offering a more serious analysis. He acknowledged the strength of the Seahawks team that ended his own team's season, stating, "If you're just looking on paper, Seattle is stacked. They loaded... It's hard to find a weakness right now with Seattle." This candid commentary from the heart of a rival provides a compelling layer to the Super Bowl narrative, highlighting the respect that exists even in the fiercest of divisional battles.
A Disappointing End to a Strong Season
For Warner and the 49ers, the 2025 season was another successful, yet ultimately unfulfilling, campaign. The team finished with a strong 12-5 record and earned a playoff berth as a wild card team. Their postseason began on a high note with a hard-fought 23-19 victory on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, their championship aspirations were dashed the following week in Seattle, where they suffered a lopsided 41-6 defeat to the eventual NFC Champions. Despite the sour ending, the 49ers' defense was a formidable unit for much of the year, and Warner once again led the charge, continuing to solidify his reputation as the league's premier linebacker.
Warner's Dominance by the Numbers
Fred Warner's individual performance in 2025 was nothing short of spectacular, earning him his fourth career First-Team All-Pro selection. He has been the unquestioned leader of the 49ers' defense since being drafted in 2018, leading the team in tackles in every season of his career. He is one of only two players since 2000 to record over 115 tackles in each of his first seven seasons, a testament to his incredible consistency and durability. His ability to impact the game extends beyond just tackles; he is a force in both the run game and pass coverage. Over the last three seasons, his 28 passes defensed are the most by any linebacker in the NFL. This unique skill set, combining intelligence, athleticism, and relentless effort, is what makes him the gold standard at his position.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While Warner is fulfilling his media obligations at the Super Bowl, his focus is undoubtedly on the future. The 49ers have made a significant offseason move, hiring Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator to replace the departed Robert Saleh. This change will bring a new defensive scheme and philosophy to San Francisco. Warner's leadership will be more crucial than ever as the defense adapts to this new system. The team will look to retool and build around its core of star players, including Warner, with the goal of overcoming their NFC West rivals and returning to the Super Bowl. As he watches the Seahawks compete for the Lombardi Trophy, the motivation for Warner and the 49ers is surely higher than ever.
