Thirteen months ago, ahead of Super Bowl 57, Kendricks spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area at Radio Row in Arizona about the 49ers. Having just finished his final season with the Minnesota Vikings, Kendricks had practiced against the Bay Area squad ahead of their preseason match in August 2022.
"Oh, man, they're flying around," Kendricks said of the 49ers defense. "They've got a bunch of great players, obviously, but it's a mindset. Like I said, we practiced against them. It's definitely a mindset."
There was one player who stood out to Kendricks, a leader who sets the tone for the entire 49ers defense—star linebacker Fred Warner.
"Man, obviously you gotta watch my boy Fred, you know what I mean?" Kendricks stated. "He's spastic, you know what I mean? He might jump over somebody. He might knock a lineman down, trip, fall up, get up, make a tackle. It's pretty relentless."
Continuing to discuss Warner, Kendricks commented, "I'm not even going to talk about his play or anything like that. I think it's his attitude, his attitude towards things. I think it's infectious for the whole defense. ... Those guys are just fun to watch."
Now, Kendricks and Warner are teammates as he joins a 49ers team aiming to rebound from a gut-wrenching overtime Super Bowl defeat last month.
Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Fred Warner, Nick Bosa react to 49ers hiring Robert Saleh: 'It means a lot'
By David Bonilla
Feb 1
Fred Warner is among several San Francisco 49ers players in Orlando, Florida, this week for the Pro Bowl festivities. NBC Sports Bay Area caught up with the star linebacker for the first time since the team hired Robert Saleh to replace Nick Sorensen as defensive...
Fred Warner 'so excited' for Robert Saleh's return, hopes Dre Greenlaw stays with 49ers
By David Bonilla
Feb 5
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner joined FanSided's Stacking the Box podcast on Wednesday from Radio Row in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Naturally, the star defender was asked about the return of Robert Saleh, who reclaimed the defensive coordinator role he had...
49ers' Fred Warner talks Purdy, McCaffrey's injury, Saleh's impact, his own injury
By David Bonilla
Feb 5
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner has been making media rounds this week in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX. The All-Pro defender joined The Pat McAfee Show to discuss several 49ers-related topics, including his admiration for Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey's...
49ers' Fred Warner sends a strong message to Brock Purdy's critics
By David Bonilla
46 mins
Debate has surrounded Brock Purdy's value, especially as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback becomes eligible for his first contract extension. After three seasons as one of the NFL's best bargains, Purdy is expected to become one of the league's highest-paid players. Yet, some...
