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San Francisco 49ers general manager spoke with the media for the first time since the end of the season at the annual NFL combine press conferences, where teams around the NFL congregate, not only to scout players in the upcoming draft, but also converse with fellow coaches, executives, and potential free agents.
With the timing of the press conference, it wasn't a surprise when Lynch was asked about right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who many believe is San Francisco's top free agent hitting the open market.
Given his age, talent, and positional value, McGlinchey is expected to command a high salary in free agency, which Lynch acknowledged on Tuesday, making it a tough re-sign for the 49ers, especially given the investment made towards
Trent Williams.
"Mike, the totality of his game, in the right tackle world — there are a couple elite ones, the Lane Johnson's of the world — he's right behind them in my mind," Lynch said. "So when you've got Trent (Williams), the way our team is comprised, that's just a tough deal for us."
While Lynch didn't rule out a reunion between the two sides, he pointed out the unlikelihood, given McGlinchey's expected market in free agency.
"That stinks, but could he miss his market? Sure. And then, would we be interested? Of course we would," Lynch said,
via David Lombardi of The Athletic. "But I don't see that happening. I see him being a coveted player."
Just because it's the reality of the situation doesn't make the decision easier for the 49ers. However, Lynch stressed the importance of patience and having discipline, which was seen via San Francisco's decision to let Laken Tomlinson walk and utilize
Aaron Banks in a starting role in 2022.
"You have to have the patience and vision to allow some of these guys to walk," Lynch said. "Get some comp picks as a result, play that game. It took Kyle and I a little while to figure that one out. But you've got to understand you can't just go full throttle, and you get some rewards if you have a little more discipline. It's never easy, but it is necessary."
However, the 49ers will look to retain a different member of their offensive line rotations this offseason: Daniel Brunskill, who has been a versatile chess piece for San Francisco along the front five.
"Danny [Brunskill], he's a stud," Lynch said. "He really lifted
Spencer Burford. The exact way Spencer broke in is how I originally broke in as a starter. I had a guy Barney Bussey down in Tampa, we would rotate by quarters. Eventually, after three games, I took it and ran with it."
But, Lynch didn't use Brunskill's presence as a rotational piece against rookie guard Spencer Burford, but rather, the 49ers liked the utilization of both players in the lineup last season.
"It wasn't that Spencer didn't take it and run with it. It was just working really well. And it also helps Dan preserve his body so he can play well late in the year. His versatility, we've seen it across the board."
Still, it appears as of now that the 49ers will likely stand to lose McGlinchey, their first-round pick from 2018, in free agency, with reports surfacing from NBC Sports's Matt Maiocco that the team has been grooming backup tackle
Colton McKivitz to potentially start next season.
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With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, it's common for the rumor mill to start churning, especially with players who are actively seeking a new contract. It was just two short years ago that WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to draft day, only for cooler heads to prevail and eventually agree to a new deal.
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