San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner had an unfortunate season in 2025, playing in just six games because of a dislocated and fractured ankle. Like the Dallas Cowboys, Warner’s 49ers team will be watching the Super Bowl instead of playing in it. But that didn’t stop the star linebacker from flexing on the Cowboys recently.
Appearing on a recent episode of the St. Brown Podcast, Warner argued with Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown about which division is the best in football.
The conversation eventually turned to rivals, and when Equanimeous St. Brown asked Fred Warner whether San Francisco considers the Cowboys a rival, the linebacker said a rivalry can't be one-sided. That's when Warner pointed out that he has never lost to Dallas -- in the regular season or playoffs.
Fred Warner dismisses 49ers-Cowboys rivalry because of San Francisco’s dominance
The four-time All-Pro embellished a little because he did lose his first matchup to Dallas, back in 2020. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, though, they haven’t beaten San Francisco since, losing two playoff games to the NFC powerhouse and two regular-season matchups. With the last four games all going in the Niners' favor, there is some truth to Warner’s statement.
However, Warner prefaced his statement by being honest about the fact that he grew up a Cowboys fan. That means he knows Dallas and San Francisco will always be a rivalry because of their shared history. The two franchises have had plenty of high-stakes battles throughout their existence because they've often competed to be the best team in the NFL.
The Cowboys met the 49ers in three straight NFC Championships from 1992 to 1994. The franchises also met in NFC Championships in 1981, 1971, and 1970. The all-time series is 21-19-1 in the 49ers favor, with nine postseason matchups.
A four-game winning streak in one side’s favor doesn’t just erase that history. Warner is right, though; the Cowboys have to hold up their end of the bargain to keep tradition going. Dallas and its fans can agree with that.
The Cowboys don’t like missing the playoffs, and they definitely don’t like the 49ers having bragging rights over them. That’s one of the many reasons the team needs to attack this offseason, so Dallas can put a better product on the field in 2026.