Fred Warner has been by many measures the NFL's best linebacker since entering the league seven years ago.
He can now also be called the league's highest-paid linebacker, too.
The former BYU star signed a three-year, $63 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers, giving him the league's highest average annual salary at his position. But what's even sweeter for Warner is $56.7 million of his deal is guaranteed, a figure virtually unheard of for a linebacker. According to CBS Sports, this is the second the four-time All-Pro has signed an extension that has made him the league's highest paid player for his position.
And the money is well deserved, too.
As both a dominant run stopper and elite pass defender for his position, the former BYU great has been selected First Team All-Pro for three consecutive seasons and four of his last five. He has registered at least 130 tackles in each of his last four seasons, including not missing a game last year after breaking a bone in his foot in Week 4.
Now that Fred Warner has been paid, let's hope a Super Bowl can follow. The 49ers have been tantalizingly close to postseason glory throughout his career, including two Super Bowl losses, which is the only item missing from his surefire Hall of Fame career.
Well done, Fred.