"It was emotional, to say the least," Warner told reporters on Tuesday. "Just what Kwon has meant not only to this entire team but to me. I wouldn't be where I'm at in my game and as a player if it wasn't for Kwon and everything that he's taught me, and brought to my game, and brought out of me.
"Yesterday, I was able to spend some time at his house before he took off to New Orleans. So that was good just to be with him for a little bit. I can't thank him enough for what he was able to do for me and the team. He left his mark here, for sure."
The 49ers signed Alexander to a four-year, $54 million contract last offseason. Salary-cap constraints, even less available money next year, and the emergence of Dre Greenlaw forced the team to look at its options, leading to Monday's trade.
Warner was asked to identify the most important thing he learned from Alexander in their season-and-a-half together.
"Just the way he went about football," Warner responded. "Yeah, this is a job and everything. You've got to be on top of your assignments and doing things the right way, but just the passion and the energy that he brought. ... He'll always have that same mindset of being legendary. Just carrying that in everything that he did, and that rubbed off on me — being able to step into the leadership role I'm in now.
"We just played with so much passion and that fun out there when we were together, and that's what everyone fed off of. Just looking forward to now taking that on head-first, and having guys kind of step up now."
Warner went on to explain that Alexander's presence and influence helped bring out his own on-field swagger. Most consider the young linebacker to be one of the best rising defensive stars in the league.
"[The swagger] was in there," Warner added. "It just hadn't really been brought out yet until he got here. So, like I said, I'm forever in debt to him just because of what he's been able to allow me to now bring my game to."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Fred Warner locked in on 49ers' offseason, eases contract concerns
There was a sense of relief at the San Francisco 49ers' facility on Tuesday as linebacker Fred Warner reported for the start of the team's offseason program. Quarterback Brock Purdy, amid contract extension negotiations, is also in attendance for this week's activities, which... -
Fred Warner reports to 49ers for offseason workouts
While tight end George Kittle may not be in Santa Clara for the start of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason program, quarterback Brock Purdy has reported in. Both players are working toward contract extensions, and Purdy's presence may signal that talks between him and the team... -
49ers' Nick Martin eager to learn from Fred Warner, shares MCL injury update
Nick Martin has a golden opportunity to line up next to one of the NFL's best linebackers. After being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the former Oklahoma State standout is eager to learn from All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. "I... -
Insider: Some progress in 49ers-Brock Purdy contract talks; Will George Kittle, Fred Warner report?
The San Francisco 49ers kick off their offseason program on Tuesday, just two days before the 2025 NFL Draft. Phase One of the program is limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation. Participation is voluntary in everything until the team's...