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.
