Following the 49ers’ disappointing 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, Fred Warner had some candid and incisive words for his teammates.
After the game, the three-time All-Pro gave an explanation of what he told the squad to the gathered media.
Warner remarked, “I assured the guys in there that we usually play hard and it won’t be a problem. We’re going to play hard every time because we have so much skill in that room. However, we need to play more strategically; we must guard the ball and make sure that we don’t give up a blocked punt on special teams. Additionally, if we fail to execute the defensive game plan, which calls for us to stop the run and play well on third down, the day will be lengthy.
“We’re always going to play hard, but it’s about playing smarter.”
Fred Warner provides an example of how the 49ers’ defense has to modify.JFH3JHrsKU on Twitter
— NBCS 49ers (@NBCS49ers) 15 September 2024
Warner performed at an All-Pro caliber, but careless play by the rest of San Francisco’s defense made it difficult to stop former 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold and the Vikings.
The most severe of these errors was the bomb safety Ji’Ayir Brown gave up to Vikings great receiver Justin Jefferson for a 97-yard touchdown, which drastically altered the tone of the game.
Add a blocked punt, numerous offensive blunders, and some dubious fourth-down call-making by head coach Kyle Shanahan, and you had all the ingredients for a crippling defeat.
The 49ers had numerous opportunities to seize control of the game, despite their continued lack of full health. Every time San Francisco needed a huge offensive play or a defensive stop, it fell short, allowing Minnesota to seize the initiative.
With a divisional showdown against the Los Angeles Rams looming large next Sunday, the 49ers are currently sitting at 1-1 in the early going of the 2024 NFL season.
