What 49ers LBs Warner and Greenlaw Have Instilled in Rookie Jaden Dugger

Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are helping rookie Jaden Dugger.

Aug 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jaden Dugger (53) talks on the sideline during a game against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

San Francisco 49ers rookie Jaden Dugger has had the privilege of learning from two of the NFL’s most established linebackers in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.

The two are the most experienced linebackers on the 49ers’ roster and formed one of the league’s most formidable pairings from 2019 to 2023.

Dugger revealed that he stayed in the Bay Area between the offseason program and the start of training camp to learn the ropes from Warner and Greenlaw, working every day to improve his game and adjust to the NFL standard.

"I just learned so much from them, just what they expect out of certain stuff, just certain techniques, just a lot of stuff," Dugger told reporters on Saturday.

"Just picking up stuff from those vets, and the two best linebackers, so it's been good for me.

"Really, the approach to the game, that's what's the most important—being relentless, running to the ball all the time.

Aug 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jaden Dugger (53) waits to rush during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"If you watch film, you're going to see those guys running to the ball all the time. That's like the Forty-Niner way.

"You're taught that in college, but they don't harp on it as much. But now, when you come here, that's the standard. In practice, even if you're 40 yards away, you go chase the ball.

"So, just watching those guys and watching the team in general, just the culture around here, just that's what it taught me."

It deserves respect that Dugger decided to stay in the area to learn and understand more before training camp.

Being a rookie means everything is brand new, but using the opportunity to learn from Warner and Greenlaw is the perfect way to gain familiarity with the scheme and the very high standards they set within the organization.

How much Dugger will be seen on the field during his rookie season remains to be seen. But it's realistic that his first-year contributions could be primarily on special teams and in a rotational role on defense.

That way he can continue developing without being asked to shoulder too much responsibility right away. After all, he's doing and learning various jobs that could be important later on in the season if injuries hit.

He played nine special-teams snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second preseason game, while also making his presence felt defensively with two solo tackles and a pass breakup. So there's plenty of optimism.