Of course, that's when Warner and the rest of the players are there at the facility. They haven't been able to enter the building this offseason due to precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Papa joked that the State of the Franchise discussion may have been the first time he's seen Warner without that football.
"I give all the credit to Kwon (Alexander)," Warner explained. "He's the one who started that. Kwon, he brought this mindset to the entire defense, the entire team from the moment he got on the squad.
"Carrying around the football is just reminding you that the ball is everything. When you're out there on the field, I'm constantly trying to attack the ball, and I think that's the mindset of everybody on our defense. And I think you saw that game in and game out when we were creating takeaways (last season) for the team."
Warner, a third-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2018, is entering his third NFL season. He registered 118 tackles, three sacks, nine passes defensed, an interception, a touchdown, and three forced fumbles through 16 games last season, per Pro Football Reference.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers Brandon Aiyuk trade: Why moving him now makes sense—and why it doesn't
The 49ers' return window for Brandon Aiyuk closes April 1, offering the Niners one final opportunity to trade him and move on from a contract decision they reportedly never wanted to make. No, it's not April Fools, but it sure feels a lot like Groundhog Day. Just months after... -
Report: 49ers outbid Broncos for Dre Greenlaw, but the linebacker sought 'fresh start'
Several factors contributed to Dre Greenlaw's departure from the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. Money played a significant role, as the linebacker signed a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos. Greenlaw's exit is seen as one of the 49ers' most impactful... -
49ers' Brock Purdy: My whole story has been about being overlooked
When Brock Purdy saw Jimmy Garoppolo take over as the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback in 2022, he realized his own opportunity might come sooner than expected. That moment arrived later in the season when Garoppolo suffered an injury, forcing Purdy into action. He... -
Mock draft has 49ers selecting pass rusher who 'tested like Myles Garrett'
Defensive end Shemar Stewart may have recorded just 4.5 sacks in three seasons at Texas A&M, a modest total that doesn't typically scream "top draft pick" to teams needing pass rushers. However, his physical traits and potential have captured the NFL's attention, making him...