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49ers Hall of Famer Patrick Willis on Fred Warner Topping His Franchise Tackle Record
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- 49ers Hall of Famer Patrick Willis on Fred Warner Topping His Franchise Tackle Record
Over the last few years, Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers has been arguably the best middle linebacker in the NFL. His versatility, aggression, football IQ and leadership have helped make the Niners a strong defensive team ever since he entered the league in 2018.
As a result, comparisons to Patrick Willis , the Hall of Fame Mike linebacker who played for the Niners from 2007 to 2014, are inevitable. Willis was not only effective, but he was also a violent tackler who made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons and was named to the All-Pro First Team five times.
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When San Francisco defeated the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 last week, Warner looked strong in his return from the ankle injury that ended his 2025 season last October. He had 11 total tackles, giving him 959 for his career and moving him past Willis for the franchise record.
Willis expressed nothing but support for Warner during an appearance on Bay Area radio station KNBR on Thursday.
Willis didn't seem to mind giving up his record
"It's always awesome to have a record, set a record, but records are made to be broken," Willis said of Warner surpassing his Niners career tackle record.
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Willis did point out one thing that may make the way in which he established the previous franchise record superior to the manner in which Warner surpassed that record.
"I think he did it in nine years," Willis said. "I was able to do it in eight, but respect to Fred and what he broke."
Willis was part of a savage 49ers defense in the early 2010s that included inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman , outside linebackers/edge rushers Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks and safeties Donte Whitner , Eric Reid and Dashon Goldson . Those teams weren't prolific offensively, but they reached the NFC Championship Game three straight times and played in Super Bowl XLVII by body-slamming opposing offenses on the regular.
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"It's love, man," Willis said of Warner. "I shot him a text the day of the game—after the game, obviously—and told him congratulations before he took off on the plane.
"And then, actually yesterday, after practice, I had a moment to just congratulate him and tell him, 'Keep up the work. Keep doing what you're doing.'"
Warner reminded everyone what a force he was during an outstanding goal-line stand in the third quarter of last week's game. With the Rams threatening to score and attempting a quarterback sneak on fourth down, he stuffed their attempt to make the score competitive.
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While Willis decided to retire from the NFL after eight seasons, Warner is still going strong in his ninth year. He'll almost certainly be voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he retires, perhaps as soon as he's eligible, and he hopes to add a Super Bowl championship to his already shiny legacy.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
