Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
John Lynch talks quarterback class and Kaepernick at the NFL Scouting Combine
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch stepped up to the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine and answered questions from the media. The 49ers are without a quarterback for the 2017 season. Colin Kaepernick's agents have informed NFL teams that their client will opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent on March 9. The 49ers have no other quarterbacks signed for the 2017 season.
Lynch did discuss quarterbacks, including Kaepernick, during the discussion with the media on Thursday. The 49ers general manager said that he is excited about this year's quarterback class, which many analysts have described as poor. Lynch said that the quarterback position has been a big focal point for the 49ers as the team prepares for the NFL Draft in April. However, the team is looking at all options for quarterbacks, including free agency.
DeShone Kizer
"Last night, we had an interview with DeShone Kizer (of Notre Dame)," Lynch said. "This whole thing is not about an interview but if you were grading him on that alone, he blew the doors off it. He's an impressive young man. His film is very impressive."
"He's just a very impressive young man," Lynch later added while not revealing anything that was discussed during the team's conversation with Kizer.
Deshaun Watson
"The same can be said about Deshaun Watson (of Clemson)," Lynch said. "You watch what he's done -- just putting a team on his shoulders and taking down a great champion."
Patrick Mahomes
"As I said, he's a guy that the film's pretty special," Lynch said of Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes. "He's a fun guy to watch. We're excited to watch more and learn more about him."
Mitch Trubisky
North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky measured in at a height over 6-2 on Thursday. "I got a note today from somebody over there (that) he measured over 6-2," Lynch said. "He made himself some money today, I promise you. You can see -- just like the other guys I talked about -- why people like him. He grows on you. The more you watch him, the more you like him."
Colin Kaepernick
"As I mentioned after that meeting, we had a real nice meeting," Lynch said of the sit down that he and Kyle Shanahan had with Colin Kaepernick on February 22. Lynch reiterated that he wants to be honest and transparent with players.
"I think we both agreed that under the current construct, it wasn't going to work out," Lynch said. "But we said, 'Let's not close the door.' We had some good jokes. Once he was gone, we weren't going to have anyone. Obviously, as he hits free agency, that's something that we'll keep out eyes open and we want him to keep us in mind as well. It's something that we left that door open in a very real and positive way."
Just as he is about to enter free agency, Kaepernick revealed on Thursday that he now plans to stand for the national anthem starting in the 2017 season. The distraction that Kaepernick's protest has brought has reportedly been a concern for some quarterback-needy teams.
"Kaepernick believes there has been positive change in America and doesn't want to detract from that,"
reports Pro Football Talk.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers insider offers analysis from glimpse of Trey Lance and Sam Darnold
It's premature to draw conclusions about a quarterback based on practices in May. That is especially true when you do so based on one practice. The San Francisco 49ers started organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and all eyes were on Trey Lance and Sam Darnold.
The two players are battling for that QB2 job behind last season's rookie sensation, Brock Purdy. One could even start Week 1 if Purdy is not healthy enough to do so himself.
Lance is coming off a season-ending ankle injury but looks completely healthy now. Darnold is trying to turn his career around after never living up to his high draft status.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic was on hand for Tuesday's practice, the only one open to reporters so far, and one that Barrows describes as a
Is 49ers QB Trey Lance getting better? And is it because of his new teacher? One expert shares his thoughts
Sometimes who is teaching is as important as what is being taught
Earlier this week, when the San Francisco 49ers opened up an OTAs session to the media, most of the eyes, in person and online, were on third-year quarterback Trey Lance's new delivery. Lance, of course, had been working with QB guru, Jeff Christensen, and thanks to some leaked footage of Lance throwing with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, along with a very well-timed piece by Matt Barrows in The Athletic, there was plenty of
49ers finalize 2023 preseason schedule with dates and times
The San Francisco 49ers finalized their preseason schedule, announcing the dates and times for all three exhibition games, along with the broadcast information. We already knew the dates and times of the final two preseason matchups. The Los Angeles Chargers revealed the details of the preseason finale on May 16. The next day, the Denver Broncos announced the date and time of their matchup against the 49ers.
That left the preseason opener against the Raiders, the lone preseason road game for the Niners, as the only unknown. The two teams open their exhibition schedules at Allegiant Stadium in Las
Everything Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold said at 49ers OTAs
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterbacks Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold spoke with reporters after Tuesday's practice, the second of organized team activities (OTAs). Here is everything they had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
WR Jauan Jennings was working on the side field, did he have any issues?
"He just had a little tightness. We're being safe with him. Same with [WR Brandon Aiyuk] B. A., both of them, same boat."
What's the thought process behind that last drill that you guys do? 11-on-11, no helmets.
"Just try to ease them into that. It's something that I never
