Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner Congratulates 49ers’ Fred Warner On Big Contract Extension
Jul 21, 2021, 9:18 PM
Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts to a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) and Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after David Moore #83 (not pictured) of the Seattle Seahawks scored a touchdown in the third quarter at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah State and current Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner congratulated former BYU and current San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner on signing a massive contract extension.
Warner reportedly agreed to a record-setting deal with the Niners on Wednesday, July 21.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former BYU star re-upped with the Niners on a five-year extension worth $95 million. Warner’s extension reportedly included a guaranteed $40.5 million.
The deal made Warner the highest paid linebacker in the NFL.
Former @BYUfootball star Fred Warner is now the highest-paid linebacker in the history of the #NFL. 😮💰💵 #BYU #GoCougs #49ers https://t.co/oRqEJEPbGS
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 21, 2021
Later in the day, Warner was interviewed and said he was happy for Warner.
“It was funny. I was actually just getting out of yoga and I got out of yoga and I was getting like alerts and stuff on my phone. And I saw he got paid. I’m like, ‘Man,'” Wagner said of Warner’s deal. “I didn’t even see the number yet, but I’m very, very happy for him because he’s put in a lot of work and he’s grown a lot since his rookie year and you just root for guys like that.”
Bobby Wagner on Fred Warner’s contract extension 💰👏
Who will be the next LB to see a big payday? pic.twitter.com/DO5L2OzW2V
— PFF (@PFF) July 22, 2021
In addition to congratulating Warner, Wagner said he was happy for the linebacker position as well.
“I was very, very happy for him and very happy for the position too. I think that the way the position is looked at nowadays is a lot different than it was when you were first getting into the league,” Wagner added. “I think there’s a lot more respect towards the position and I think people are starting to realize that mike linebacker is really the quarterback of the defense. So I think the pay increase and the guys getting compensated for the way they excel at the position is something that everybody can be happy for. But I’m definitely happy for Fred.”
Wagner and Warner are two of the league’s top linebackers.
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Wagner is entering his 10th season in the NFL this fall. Warner will start his fourth season in a couple of months.
The former Utah State linebacker and the Seahawks start the 2021 season against the Indianapolis Colts on September 12.
Warner and the Niners begin the regular season against the Detroit Lions on September 12.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
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