Fred Warner extension displays linebackers are undervalued in these days’s NFL

Based at the fee different positional contracts have exploded, San Francisco considerably benefitted from a league large devaluation of linebackers.

Smith set the marketplace at $20M in January 2023, so it is a bit unexpected for Warner to internet most effective $1M extra.

The 2018 third-round select (No. 70 general) is coming off 3 consecutive first-team All-Pro alternatives. Last season, he had 131 tackles, seven passes defended, 4 pressured fumbles, two interceptions, a landing and a sack. 

When in comparison to different positions, Warner’s extension is a downright scouse borrow.

In September 2024, Dak Prescott reset the quarterback marketplace when he signed a four-year, $240M extension price $60M once a year, a 9% building up ($5M) from contracts signed via Joe Burrow (September 2023), Trevor Lawrence (June 2024) and Jordan Love (July 2024).

Quarterbacks have not been the one ones to peer massive spikes within the most sensible earners at their place.

In March, Bengals large receiver Ja’Marr Chase gained a 15% carry over Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson when he signed a four-year, $161M extension, price $5.25M extra once a year 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 once price $4.5M/yr greater than Raiders edge Maxx Crosby’s three-year, $106.5M extension signed 4 days previous on March 5, a 12.7% building up.

Even working again Saquon Barkley’s two-year, $41.2M extension price $20.6M once a year represented an 8.4% building up over 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey’s earlier top for working backs ($19M/yr). 

The sluggish fee of expansion at off-ball linebacker unearths how the location is considered in 2025.

With the explosion of passing offenses, groups have put a top class on cornerbacks — in March, Texans nook Derek Stingley was the primary defensive again to earn $30M in line with yr after signing a three-year, $90M extension — and edge-rushers — both 4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 out of doors linebackers — on the expense of the center defensive line.

While they may not command as massive of salaries as others, linebackers are as treasured as ever.

Take the protecting champion Philadelphia Eagles, for instance. They struggled mightily at inside of linebacker in 2023, they usually had one of the crucial league’s worst defenses and misplaced six in their remaining seven video games (together with postseason).

Philadelphia upgraded the location remaining offseason after signing then-unknown Zach Baun, who went directly to earn first-team All-Pro honors after manning the center of the league’s second-ranked scoring protection.

Warner’s extension is an misguided illustration of linebackers’ significance in these days’s NFL. Despite falling out of trend, they are simply as integral to successful as when Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert, Mike Singletary or Ray Lewis roamed the gridiron.

Sure, $21M is some huge cash. But Warner is price so a lot more.