John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan accepted the challenge of gutting and then rebuilding one of the worst rosters in the NFL when they took over the head roles with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. They have just 10 wins over the past two seasons to show for it.
It would be difficult to call the past two years a success just judging by the win total. Most of those victories came at the end of the 49ers general manager and head coach's first season together. Both understood that winning might take time, but both strived for success from the beginning.
The duo enters their third season together. Not much was expected during that first season so ending the year winning six of seven games was a significant achievement. Expectations were higher during season two, but Shanahan lost his franchise quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, three weeks into the regular season.
The setback offered the 49ers an opportunity during Lynch's and Shanahan's third offseason together. As they racked up losses, the team's draft position remained high. It put the 49ers in a position to bolster their pass rush by drafting defensive end Nick Bosa. He would not have been available had the team won more games.
"I think it's the best roster for any team that's picking that high," Bosa said during his introductory press conference. "Obviously, they had the injury last year which allowed them to pick that high. I think it's pretty awesome that I'm joining a team that's already assembled a pretty darn good squad."
That means the pressure is on to start winning. Lynch and Shanahan know that. They feel that pressure from the fan base.
There were recently rumors that the pressure might be getting to Lynch and Shanahan and breaking their bond. A report from Bleacher Report last week stated that there was friction between the two during the draft process. That was news to Lynch and Shanahan.
The 49ers head coach, via a text to NBC Sports Bay Area, called the report "Complete bulls--t."
The general manager shot down the report as well during an interview this past Friday on 95.7 The Game, calling it "nonsense."
"There's a lot of trust," Lynch added. "We came in this together. We came in knowing there would be some tough times, and it wasn't going to be easy, but it was going to be worth it.
"I can tell Niner fans that we're strong as ever, and there's a lot of trust and faith."
There may be no rift between Lynch and Shanahan, but there is the pressure to start winning as they close in on the midway point of their six-year deals with the 49ers.
"We understand full well we're going into Year 3," Lynch continued. "This is a production-based business, and we've got to start winning football games.
"We feel really good about where our team is in terms of being set up to do that. We feel great about the progress we've made. Now we've got to go do it. It's put-up time, and we understand that. We're looking forward to that opportunity and challenge."
As for the injuries and any other reasons for not winning last year, Lynch isn't looking for a free pass.
"Ultimately, all the reasons why we didn't win last year, they're just excuses," he added. "I can tell you, though, the one thing I felt good about, in a tough year like last year, I think a lot of positive things happened. We battled through them. We got to see who's going to battle through when things get tough.
"A lot of players that otherwise wouldn't have had an opportunity to play, they got an opportunity to play. So I think we've added to the depth of our team."
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