Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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.
Related News
Brock Purdy started throwing this week, and it sounds like the San Francisco 49ers are pleased with their second-year quarterback's progress. While Purdy isn't doing anything overly taxing, it is the first time he is throwing a football—albeit reportedly a lighter-weighted one.
Purdy underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, an injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. His recovery is expected to last into late August or early September—barring any setbacks.
"There are certain markers that you hit," general manager John Lynch said Wednesday morning on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He was 12 weeks out, and that meant it was time to throw. He did so and
Over the offseason, there has been significant talk surrounding the San Francisco 49ers and their quarterbacks, especially after the team signed Sam Darnold in free agency, providing them three capable options with starting experience in the former Carolina Panther, Brock Purdy, and Trey Lance.
Purdy is evidently the leader in the clubhouse, as stated by general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan several times this offseason, but many have pointed out his flaws, such as the inability to make throws downfield, as a reason why one of the other quarterbacks could win over the starting job with a strong performance in organized team activities(OTAs) and training camp.
What do the 49ers believe about Purdy's downfield ability?
General manager
During an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch once again called Brock Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse" when it comes to the team's starting quarterback job. Purdy earned that with his superb play last season as a rookie, helping guide the 49ers to eight consecutive wins before an NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Purdy suffered a UCL tear in that game and will miss most or all of this offseason. That opens the door for Trey Lance or Sam Darnold to impress coaches and potentially climb the depth chart. Lance opened last season as the 49ers' starter but suffered a season-ending ankle injury during Week 2.
The 49ers haven't lost faith in their former No. 3 overall draft pick. They still see a lot
The 49ers ended their offseason workout program on Wednesday with their final session of mandatory minicamp. But before they made their way out the door for the summer, the team gave fans and reporters one last dose of info in the form of the final media sessions of the spring.
Among those speaking to reporters on Wednesday were defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, left tackle Trent Williams and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, as well as defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Each session produced some interesting tidbits, which we'll review in this version of 49ers notebook.
Hargrave speaks
Despite being the splash free agent addition of the offseason for the 49ers, Javon Hargrave had not met with the team's beat reporters in person before Wednesday.
