The 49ers came out of the 2024 season battered and defeated. They had high hopes before the season, but it was a catchup game after losing the week 2 and 3 games. But they lost 7 of 9 games after bye week 9. As things went south, the frustration seeped in. Brock Purdy’s extension stalled. Now, their linebacker Fred Warner has openly criticized the team.
At the NFL Honors ceremony before the Super Bowl LIX, the 49ers player sat next to the former Bills RB LeSean McCoy. The veteran asked him, “What happened, Dawg?” The Niners LB replied, “Yo, our defense was bad. Bad, bad.” With this admission over a failed defense, things are becoming intense at the franchise.
It cuts out the task for the new defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh. This was the 49ers’ worst season since 2020. They lost 10 games that year, with only 16 games being played. But after playing in NFC Championship games in 2021 and 2022, and in the Super Bowl LVIII in 2023, not qualifying for the playoffs was a disaster. For Fred Warner & co., they were always in battle-control mode.
LeSean McCoy asked Fred Warner about the 2024 season:
“I sat next to Fred Warner at the NFL Honors and said ‘What happened, Dawg?’, and he said ‘Yo, our defense was bad. Bad, bad’.” pic.twitter.com/a4FjEWMuwO
— Coach Yac (@Coach_Yac) February 12, 2025
Playing without their star linebacker, Dre Greenlaw, they even suffered protest during his comeback as De’Vondre Campbell refused to play in the week 15 game against the Rams. Though they released him, their O-line was rocked when Deebo Samuel claimed he wanted out of the franchise. He wants to achieve his Super Bowl ambition. But the 49ers O-line would struggle without him.
There were talks that the 49ers want to go all-in for Browns DE Myles Garrett. His arrival will be an enormous boost. But will the Browns GM Andrew Berry? He wants to keep the DE. Many questions remain to be answered. The Niners have a month before free agency opens on March 12. The biggest is their quarterback.
Fred Warner stands with Brock Purdy
Not only Kyle Shanahan, but their signal-caller played his worst season. He only had 20 TDs and 12 interceptions, most in 3 seasons so far. In the end, he finished without any playoff spot. But, in the last few days, he received back-to-back praise for his performances.
“Everybody out there, if you have any questions about Brock Purdy, I’m here to tell you, I’m not biased. I know ball.” said Fred Warner to The Athletic’s Diana Russini. He also used choice words for Brock Purdy and added, “He’s the guy.” That sparks high hopes for the 25-year-old. Purdy remains crucial to the team as he averaged 3864 yards and a QB rating of 67.9.
The 49ers owner Jed York also praised the QB before the Super Bowl LIX. He also claimed that Purdy would stay at the franchise for a long time. The football world was abuzz with the contract extension he would sign. It definitely brings stability to his future. But until the deal gets finalized, we can’t say anything.
The front office has to work hard with players coming out in the open. They can’t go into the 2025 season with a weak roster. Can they resolve all the qualms? We’ll see.
The post 49ers’ Fred Warner Ruthlessly Blames Teammates & Sends Strong Message to Robert Saleh After Confirming Brock Purdy’s Future appeared first on EssentiallySports.
