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49ers' Fred Warner Speaks Out On Being 'Close' to New Contract

Fans of the San Francisco 49ers were worried about the franchise's process on quarterback Brock Purdy's contract extension.

Now that's done, to the tune of Purdy a massive five-year, $265 million deal with the Niners.

There were also worries about tight end George Kittle. But that's done, too, as he'll now make $19 million per year as part of his four-year $76.4 million extension.

So Purdy will be the highest-paid Niners player ever. And Kittle is the highest-paid tight end in NFL history.

What's left?

"Things are moving in the right direction,'' said Fred Warner over the weekend.

And that's who is next.

There is speculation that San Francisco is going to make Warner the highest-paid linebacker in football ... making this a very expensive offseason for ownership.

But there are numerous indications that have the Niners and Warner closing in on a deal.

Warner is the keystone that holds this Niners' defense together and his accolades stack up among the best in the league, being that he is a four-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler.

Warner, 28, can argue that he is still clearly within his prime, having played all 17 games the past three seasons and amassing over 75 solo tackles in each of those campaigns.

“I think it’s obviously worked out really well being able to knock those things out earlier,” Warner said. “Allowing us to focus just purely on ball and getting better as a team, so things are moving in the right direction.”

Purdy's deal was pivotal. Kittle's was important. But Warner will get his day soon and there should not be much of a conflict from either side, it seems, on getting that deal done.

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