Saleh gives 49ers star Warner the highest possible praise Originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
If there’s anyone in the NFL who knows how good 49ers linebacker Fred Warner is, it’s New York Jets coach Robert Saleh.
It was Saleh’s knowledge of Warner that prompted the former 49ers defensive coordinator to heap the highest praise on his former protégé during a meeting with the media in New York on Friday.
When a reporter asked what he saw on film regarding Warner’s ability to break up potential big plays in the 49ers’ 32-19 win over the Jets in Week 1, Saleh made it clear that the All-Pro linebacker is headed to Canton, Ohio, when his playing career is over.
“Fred is… I’ll just say it,” Saleh said (h/t Pro Football Talk ). “The guy is a Hall of Famer who gets elected to the front row and… I don’t know if a lot of people recognize that, but… Sometimes during the game it felt like there were three of him, the way he was running around. And so it was a different feeling being on the other side of the line for the first time in his career to see it.
“He did a lot of things that, there’s a couple of plays that are touchdowns against 25 other teams. And he came out of nowhere to make it. So all credit to him, he’s an unbelievable football player.”
#Fighter Jets HC Robert Saleh called #49ers LB Fred Warner, first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee:
“Fred is, I’ll just say it, the guy is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. I don’t know if a lot of people recognize that, but he is. There were a couple of plays that were touchdowns versus 25… photo.twitter.com/U5KcinK1Cn
— OnzeSF49ers (@WijSf49ers) September 13, 2024
Warner, in his seventh NFL season, is a three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection. He spent three seasons under Saleh, from 2018-2020.
In the Week 1 win, Warner totaled seven tackles and forced Breece Hall into a fumble in the first quarter.
Speaking to reporters four days before the 2024 season opener, Warner praised Saleh for developing into one of the NFL’s top linebackers.
“I owe a lot to Coach Saleh, because I know him,” Warner told reporters in the 49ers locker room on Sept. 5. “He means so much to me. From the moment I walked into this building on my 30th visit. He showed confidence in me as a player and then obviously gave me the nod as the Mike Backer my rookie year. It takes a lot of guts to give a rookie that power.
“I’m so happy for him and his success. Hopefully not as successful on Monday night, of course. I owe him a lot; as much as DeMeco [Ryans]. He and Coach Saleh were extremely important to my development.”
Four days later, under the floodlights of Levi’s Stadium, Warner kept Saleh and the Jets from having much offensive success.
Ultimately, we can safely assume that Saleh will be by Warner’s side if he is indeed inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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