New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh looks on against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium - Rich Barnes/Imagn Images
Following the game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets, Jets head coach Robert Saleh had high praise for linebacker Fred Warner. Saleh called the 49ers’ star player a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Here is a look at the comments that Saleh made, and Warner’s NFL career so far.
Robert Saleh’s Statement on Fred Warner
This statement from the Jets’ head coach comes as Saleh spoke to the media. The Jets’ offense was not on the field often during Monday Night Football. Between the 49ers offense dominating time of possession, and the defense not allowing the Jets run game to get going, the Jets struggled. While being questioned about Monday’s loss and Sunday’s upcoming game, Saleh had high praise for the 49ers linebacker.
The full quote from Saleh can be watched here on X, reposted by OurSF49ers. While talking about Warner, Saleh states, “The guy is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I don’t know if a lot of people recognize that, but he is. At times during the game, it felt like there were three of them out there.”
He goes on to say, “There were a couple of plays that are touchdowns versus 25 other teams, and he came out of nowhere to save it.” He finishes by calling Warner an unbelievable football player.
This is the first time that Saleh had to coach against the star linebacker. Warner and Saleh were on the same side for a couple of years. Saleh became the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator in 2017. Warner was drafted by the 49ers in the 2018 NFL Draft. With Saleh the New York Jets head coach in 2021, and the 49ers and Jets last played each other in 2020, this is the first time the two faced off.
If Saleh’s words do not mean much, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has had a tone of praise for Warner over the years. Every time the two face off, win or lose Rodgers explains the respect he has for Warner.
Fred Warner’s Career so far
This is high praise for a player who is just 27 years old. Quickly in his career, Warner stepped up as a leader. On and off the field, Warner sets an example as a football player. He is there to make sure his team is hyped up before every game, then gives it his all on the field. Just as Saleh describes it, Warner is a player that is everywhere on the field. He has even dropped back and chased down a wide receiver, and it worked. He is a hard hitter and a player that people across the league respect.
In six years, plus the game against the Jets, Warner has had 773 combined tackles, 498 solo, 31 tackles for loss, and 28 quarterback hits according to Pro Football Reference. He has also had nine sacks, 12 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and eight interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. One of the forced fumbles is already from the 2024 season.
With all he does, he deserves one of the biggest contracts for his position. The 49ers did get the deal done a couple of years ago. In the 2024 off-season, the 49ers and Warner reworked his deal to take a vet minimum salary. This cleared ten million dollars in cap space. Now, he will have a base salary of $1.125 million. The rest, $14.2 million will be spread over the final four years of Warner’s deal. Reworking deals is a leadership move and shows he wants to win with this team.
The 49ers still have a long season ahead of them. Warner came out week one firing, which is setting up a big season for the linebacker. Warner is just 27 years old and hopefully has a long career still ahead of him.
