I'll start with a couple of topics we haven't already touched upon—Javon Kinlaw and Jason Verrett. San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, provided updates on both defenders. Kinlaw and Verrett missed most of this past season.
After appearing in just four games, Kinlaw underwent reconstructive surgery to repair his ACL. Verrett suffered a torn ACL in Week 1.
Javon Kinlaw
Lynch told reporters that Kinlaw could theoretically be back in time for the 49ers' offseason program in the spring, but there is no reason to rush his return.
"We want to make sure he is [fully] rehabbed," Lynch said via David Lombardi of The Athletic. "We won't want to rush this because he's so critical to our success. He's got such a high ceiling. We want to see him healthy."
The 49ers hope the decision to have Kinlaw undergo surgery will eliminate the lingering knee issues that have plagued him.
Lynch added, "Looking back, (surgery) was probably the right decision to allow him to fully realize his talent, which is vast."
Jason Verrett
Verrett is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after signing a one-year deal with the team last offseason. However, the 49ers have not closed the door on the oft-injured veteran cornerback returning to the team in 2022.
"That position, you can't have enough of them, and Jason is a really good one, when healthy. His problem has been staying healthy," Lynch said via NBC Sports Bay Area.
Lynch and the 49ers are monitoring Verrett's recovery, hoping to give the cornerback another chance if it looks like he could contribute in 2022.
"We're interested to see -- we hear, talking to him, and talking to his agent, he really has a want to get back, and so we'll monitor that closely and see where he's at," Lynch said. "We'll see if that's a possibility."
Aaron Banks
Despite playing in just five snaps all of last season, Lynch says the 49ers remain high on last year's second-round pick, offensive lineman Aaron Banks.
"There's a narrative because Aaron didn't play, there must be something wrong with him," Lynch said via Lombardi. "Quite the contrary. Aaron really grew, he really reshaped his body, and we're really excited about getting him out there and letting him compete. This is a huge offseason for him."
Other Notes
NFL teams are interested in Jimmy Garoppolo despite the quarterback getting ready to undergo shoulder surgery in the next week or so.
While Lynch points to last year's No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance, being the likely starter in 2022, the general manager hasn't closed the door on Garoppolo possibly returning. Said Lynch: "Jimmy's a part of us right now. A lot of people need or want quarterbacks right now, and he's obviously a guy they'd look at. Yes, we have listened, but he's a part of us."
Lynch called defensive end Nick Bosa and wide receiver Deebo Samuel "foundational" pieces of the roster and declared they would remain 49ers. Both are eligible for contract extensions. Lynch said, "The timing, I have no idea, but we'll go to work here, and have been working, to try to do something."
Lynch confirmed that he was approached about a possible return to broadcasting. However, he turned down the offer to remain with the 49ers. One report stated that Amazon offered a salary of about $15 million, believed to be three times Lynch's current salary with the 49ers. "That is a lot of money, though," Lynch said while laughing. "I can't believe they're paying that much for people that talk football. It's unbelievable."
Tackle Mike McGlinchey's rehab from surgery to repair the torn quad suffered on November 7, 2021, is "going really well," said Lynch. Like Kinlaw, the 49ers will give their offensive lineman the time he needs to get back to 100 percent.
Lynch is optimistic that center Alex Mack will not retire and return for his 14th NFL season.
Running backs coach Bobby Turner will miss the 2022 season after undergoing knee surgeries. However, he plans to return to coaching in 2023. "Bobby makes it very clear that he's coming back, and we make it very clear that he's always welcome," Lynch said.
The 49ers like their depth at running back, especially with the two players they drafted last year—Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell. Said Lynch: "Trey is someone we're really excited about, as we are with Elijah. We like our depth in that room, and it's not bad to be able to turn to Deebo when you need a player too."
Lynch admits that D.J. Jones' impressive 2021 campaign could make re-signing the defensive tackle "challenging." He added, "That would be a tough one to lose, but there might be that chance."
Lynch would love to see running back Raheem Mostert re-sign with the 49ers but acknowledges some risk in bringing him back, given the injury history. According to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area, the general manager said, "It's high risk, but I think there's high reward too. I'm sure a lot of teams are thinking about that too. I know how fond [Dolphins head coach] Mike McDaniel was of him."
