This one is a knee-slapper.

It’s the NFL offseason, which means it is the time for bad hot takes.

That is exactly what San Francisco 49ers fans got recently from a New York Giants beat writer who mused about whether the Niners would be open to trading away linebacker Fred Warner.

This is what reporter Art Stapleton wrote on social media, “Wonder if the 49ers would deal Fred Warner? The Giants might be able to use a player like that.”

Then, in trying to defend himself after getting some pushback he posted the following, “I don’t know if San Francisco will trade Warner. Heard they might consider it if somehow they could get Dre Greenlaw back in the fold. I’m not playing games like some are suggesting on here.

I don’t know if San Francisco will trade Warner. Heard they might consider it if somehow they could get Dre Greenlaw back in the fold.

I’m not playing games like some are suggesting on here. https://t.co/jDu8OzbWV5

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) March 4, 2026

Sure, Art. No games being played whatsoever.

One Niners fan posted in response, “Respectfully, this is a total joke.”

Another chimed in, “I also heard Steve Young is contemplating coming back if Jerry Rice unretires.”

Warner is the heart and soul of San Francisco’s defense. Losing him last season truly did feel like a death knell, although the team was able to play remarkably well even after he went down.

Getting a healthy Warner back next season will be massive on that side of the ball, so there is no reason to think the 49ers are even entertaining the faintest notion of trading Warner.

Maybe if the Giants want to part with a couple of first-round picks and wide receiver Malik Nabers, that might make the Niners begin to consider it, but anything outside of that is a non-starter.

Warner has talked about how stacked the NFC West is right now, so the Niners need a healthy Warner just to try and keep pace with the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. Last season, the 49ers were able to skirt by thanks to a pretty easy schedule, but they will not have that same luxury next season.

While Stapleton’s take is ridiculous, the idea of Greenlaw coming back to the 49ers may not be entirely crazy. If the Denver Broncos decided to release Greenlaw after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, then maybe it would make sense for the Niners to bring him back on a discounted contract.

But if they do, it will not be because they are looking to get rid of Warner. 2025 proved that they need No. 54 out there arguably more than any other player.