Based mostly on the speed different positional contracts have exploded, San Francisco considerably benefitted from a league huge devaluation of linebackers.
Smith set the market at $20M in January 2023, so it is a bit stunning for Warner to web solely $1M extra.
The 2018 third-round choose (No. 70 general) is coming off three consecutive first-team All-Professional picks. Final season, he had 131 tackles, seven passes defended, 4 pressured fumbles, two interceptions, a landing and a sack.
When in comparison with different positions, Warner’s extension is a downright steal.
In September 2024, Dak Prescott reset the quarterback market when he signed a four-year, $240M extension price $60M yearly, a 9% improve ($5M) from contracts signed by Joe Burrow (September 2023), Trevor Lawrence (June 2024) and Jordan Love (July 2024).
Quarterbacks have not been the one ones to see massive spikes within the prime earners at their place.
In March, Bengals huge receiver Ja’Marr Chase acquired a 15% increase over Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson when he signed a four-year, $161M extension, price $5.25M extra yearly than his former LSU teammate’s four-year, $140M contract.
Browns edge-rusher Myles Garrett’s four-year, $160M extension signed on March 9 was price $4.5M/12 months greater than Raiders edge Maxx Crosby’s three-year, $106.5M extension signed 4 days earlier on March 5, a 12.7% improve.
Even working again Saquon Barkley’s two-year, $41.2M extension price $20.6M yearly represented an 8.4% improve over 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey’s previous high for running backs ($19M/12 months).
The gradual charge of progress at off-ball linebacker reveals how the place is considered in 2025.
With the explosion of passing offenses, groups have put a premium on cornerbacks — in March, Texans nook Derek Stingley turned the primary defensive again to earn $30M per 12 months after signing a three-year, $90M extension — and edge-rushers — both 4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 exterior linebackers — on the expense of the center line of protection.
Whereas they may not command as massive of salaries as others, linebackers are as precious as ever.
Take the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, for instance. They struggled mightily at inside linebacker in 2023, they usually had one of many league’s worst defenses and misplaced six of their final seven video games (together with postseason).
Philadelphia upgraded the place final offseason after signing then-unknown Zach Baun, who went on to earn first-team All-Professional honors after manning the center of the league’s second-ranked scoring protection.
Warner’s extension is an inaccurate illustration of linebackers’ significance in at the moment’s NFL. Regardless of falling out of vogue, they’re simply as integral to successful as when Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert, Mike Singletary or Ray Lewis roamed the gridiron.
Certain, $21M is some huge cash. However Warner is price a lot extra.
