SANTA CLARA — As Fred Warner walked to the podium to start his first press conference of the 2025 NFL season Tuesday, the 49ers linebacker took note of his veteran status.
“I can’t believe this is the eighth one,” Warner said before any questions had been asked.
Warner only has missed one game over his illustrious seven NFL seasons, appearing in all of his 115 contests as a starter. The perennial All-Pro has amassed 897 tackles during that span — 569 solo and 36 for a loss. Warner also boasts 53 pass breakups, 15 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
Still, the well-decorated defender admitted there are a few things he wishes he could have told himself as a rookie.
“Probably that everyone is a human being just like me,” Warner said. “I think the biggest hurdle for a rookie is that mental hurdle of, ‘My whole childhood I’ve been watching these guys on TV,’ and even in college you watch guys you’ve admired from afar.
“And then you’re finally here and you’re like, ‘That’s George Kittle! Oh, that’s Christian McCaffrey! Oh my gosh, that’s Nick Bosa!’ And you can’t really fathom putting yourself on the same level as the type of guys that have been there, done that and earned it at the highest level.”
Everything obviously has worked out well for Warner still, with the 28-year-old earning four Pro Bowl nods along with four First Team All-Pro honors. Now, the veteran’s task is to acclimate the new, less experienced members of the roster to the 49ers Way.
“I don’t think it’s going to take anything extra than what we’ve brought to the team all these years, to be honest,” Warner said. “I think the key is to be consistent, setting the tone every single day, and as the young guys see that, they fall right in line.”
While Warner understands that the acclimation process isn’t the same for everyone, there is belief that all of the younger players will have the opportunity to contribute on the field once the season kicks off. Warner’s advice before the 40-day break was to make sure the rookies studied their playbooks.
“We were all rookies once, and you’re here for a reason,” Warner said. “You have the talent to compete at this level, and the only thing we have to our advantage is experience. The quicker that you can catch on to the plays and really realize that you belong, you can let your youth and your ability to go out there and compete, and then be the guy.”
The competition begins Wednesday when the 49ers have their first on-field practice of training camp.
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