John Lynch: We’re committed to finding that franchise quarterback
May 30, 2017 at 4:52 PM
•
On Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined "NFL Total Access" on
NFL Network. He touched on a number of topics including the quarterback position and the team drafting three straight defensive players.
Lynch started the conversation by saying how much fun it has been running the organization but that it has been a big challenge with everything that comes across his desk.
David Carr asked Lynch what attributes he is looking for in a quarterback – whether it be for 2017 or for the future. Lynch said that he and head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed the position early on when they were united in San Francisco.
"I think the most important thing is how much we value the position," Lynch said. "I think it's fairly obvious to anyone that watches the league, but when you find a franchise one, you've got a chance each and every year. And so, we set out to find that guy. Right now, we've got Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, and [C.J.] Beathard, who we took from Iowa. Do we have that franchise guy? I don't know. We're hoping one of those guys -- right now, it's Brian Hoyer's -- we're hoping he takes it and runs with it. I can tell you this, we're committed to finding that guy but we're very happy with what we have right now."
Lynch: 'Don't know' if franchise QB is on our roster
The 49ers selected three straight defensive players in April's draft. They selected defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and linebacker Reuben Foster in the first round and then cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon in the third. Is there a battle between Lynch and Shanahan when it comes to defense versus offense?
"You'd be surprised," Lynch said. "I think Kyle wants to win here and he wants to win championships. So we set our board and we really didn't go in with the intention but I was smiling and giving him a hard time when we went defense on all three levels starting with Solomon Thomas, then moving on to Reuben Foster, and then Ahkello Witherspoon. We hit the d-line, the linebackers and then the secondary. About that time, he said, 'Alright, now it is time to get some offense for this team.'
"But really what we were both trying to do is just find players that we think fit our criteria both in talent, what they put on film, also in the spirit that they embody. And we're really proud of the guys that we drafted and we feel like they give us a chance to put a nucleus together that can change the fortune of this franchise back to where we want to be and where this franchise belongs -- and that's on top."
LISTEN
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers signing OT Matt Pryor, per John Lynch
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch sat down with reporters at the owners' meetings in Arizona on Monday morning. One of the tidbits he offered is that the team has signed offensive tackle Matt Pryor.
The #49ers signed OT Matt Pryor, general manager, John Lynch said. Prior has appeared in 60 games with 24 starts over four seasons with Philadelphia and Indianapolis.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) March 27,
49ers' QB1? John Lynch calls Brock Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse"
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, speaking with reporters at the owners' meetings in Arizona on Monday morning, made it clear where Brock Purdy sits in the team's quarterback depth chart. Purdy, recovering from surgery on March 10, has earned the right to the top spot.
"I think Brock has earned the right with the way he played that he's probably the leader in the clubhouse at that," Lynch said. "I'll let [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] make those kind of decisions, but I know, when we talk, I think Brock's probably earned that right to be the guy. If we were to line up, he'd probably take that first snap."
Of course, Lynch clarified that all quarterbacks—Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold—will compete for the 49ers' starting job. However,
Would the 49ers trade Trey Lance? John Lynch responds
John Lynch made one thing very clear on Monday morning during the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona. The San Francisco 49ers like their current quarterback room, comprised of Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold.
Lynch clarified one more thing: If Purdy were completely healthy and ready to play come Week 1, he would be the starter. Of course, there is so much uncertainty surrounding Purdy's health.
On March 10, the quarterback underwent surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow he suffered in the NFC Championship Game. His recovery is expected to go into September. Although, Lynch and the 49ers are hopeful the second-year
John Lynch explains 49ers' trade for kicker Zane Gonzalez
Last week, the San Francisco 49ers seemingly filled their kicker vacancy by trading for Zane Gonzalez, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. Robbie Gould, the team's kicker since 2017, remains a free agent. The 49ers undoubtedly wanted him back but could no longer afford to grant the 40-year-old the kind of money he sought.
Is Gonzalez the answer for the 49ers? He's an answer, but not necessarily the answer in Santa Clara.
"I think it's a move," 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters on Monday during the NFL owners' meetings in Arizona.
The Panthers planned to release Gonzalez, prompting Lynch to call his Panthers counterpart,
