Fred Warner is one of the best linebackers in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers was more excited about the hype than most.

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The San Francisco 49ers defenseman and the New York Jets superstar quarterback will face off in the first MNF of the 2024 season at Levi’s Stadium on Monday night. You can watch the game live on talkSPORT.

Warner and Rodgers may play on different teams, but there has always been a healthy bond between the two.

Following the Green Bay Packers (Rodgers’ former team) 34-17 victory over the 49ers in Week 9 of the 2020 season, the four-time MVP was exceptionally complimentary of the then third-year LB.

“I’m happy for you, man, I really mean it,” Rodgers told Warner, who had a microphone, after the game.

“Unfortunately, name recognition means too much. Nobody is better. There really isn’t. You’re the best and everybody knows it. The movie doesn’t lie. You should be All-Pro.”

“All-Pro Fred” would live up to his nickname. Two months after Rodgers’ praise, he was named First-team All-Pro, the first of three such honors.

And now, in 2024, he’s one of the best in the business, but Rodgers’ kind words have always stuck with him.

“Yeah, it meant a lot, more than he will ever know,” the three-time Pro Bowler told talkSPORT exclusively.

“When I came out of BYU, I was asked to play a new position and I was trying to get more confident in what I was trying to do.

“I felt like I was doing well coming into my third year, but for a young guy to have that endorsement from a Hall of Famer and a legend like him, it gave me all the confidence in the world to keep going and grow into the player I am today.”

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“And unfortunately for him, he now has to see the result of that,” Warner joked.

“But it’s all love at the end of the day, man, I’m so grateful to him. And you know, obviously for that moment.”

Monday night’s game between the 49ers and the Jets could be the final game between Warner and Rodgers.

Rodgers, who will soon turn 41, is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that ended his debut season with the Jets after just four plays.

If things go badly again this year, it could be his last game in the competition.

The controversial QB is undoubtedly the crown jewel of a revamped Jets team featuring two volatile young prospects in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.

Gang Green’s defense is also one of the strongest in the NFL, something Niners quarterback Brock Purdy will have to overcome if Kyle Shanahan’s team wants to start the season on a winning note.

Purdy has had quite the journey since being selected with the 262nd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, going from “Mr. Irrelevant” to “Mr. Relevant” after a stellar 2023 campaign.

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Purdy was in contention for MVP for most of last year’s regular season and advanced to the Super Bowl after throwing for more than 4,000 yards, finishing as the NFL’s passer rating leader.

Despite his qualifications, the 24-year-old player is consistently underrated, with some critics calling him a “game manager” and a “system quarterback.”

Warner, however, wants to hear nothing of it and thinks Purdy will have a ‘great season’ in 2024.

“It’s crazy to think he’s (Purdy) only going into Year 3,” he told talkSPORT.

“You would never say it when you look at his performances in years 1 and 2, and the way he conducts himself day in, day out.

“You know he’s in complete control of that attack. With experience comes confidence and maturity, and I think you’ll continue to see that with Brock.

“So I’m really excited to see him this year. I think he’s going to have a great year.”

talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio – join us for coverage of the season’s opening Monday Night Football from 1am on talkSPORT2 when the San Francisco 49ers host the New York Jets.
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