Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
49ers GM John Lynch on right tackle hole: “There’ll be a competition”
The San Francisco 49ers said goodbye to a longtime member of the franchise this offseason when starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey signed a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos that included $50 million in guaranteed money.
McGlinchey, a player prone to criticism during his career with the 49ers,
was extremely unlikely to re-sign, which the right tackle openly admitted, due to financial restrictions.
However, the 49ers made the first step into filling his vacancy by re-signing swing tackle
Colton McKivitz, who has seen action on several spots along the offensive line, but is now expected to compete for the starting position.
With reports surfacing that the 49ers were "grooming McKivitz to start", it seemed that he'd be the penciled-in starter, but his contract is essentially a one-year deal worth $1.8 million, which doesn't necessarily scream starter-level money.
Are the 49ers set on McKivitz being their starter with just five career starts under his left, or will they add more competition?
General manager John Lynch addressed the elephant in the room at the NFL's annual meetings, expressing confidence in McKivitz at the moment, pointing to his confidence during a meaningful Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 to clinch the 49ers a playoff spot.
"Yeah, Colton's the guy right now," Lynch said. "And we just signed
Matt Pryor, who's a guy who's started some games in this league. But we like Colton. We have for a long time. And think Colton's confidence, that game he filled in for
Trent Williams, went in there and did a really good job as a left tackle. He's been a good swing tackle."
However, as Lynch noted, the 49ers did sign Matt Pryor, who appears to be filling McKivitz's old role as the swing tackle with good positional versatility and experience as a starter with the Indianapolis Colts last season.
Still, Lynch openly admitted that a competition will occur, suggesting the 49ers aren't set at the position yet, meaning San Francisco could also address the position in the NFL Draft, where they could look to find their tackle of the future.
"Colton's a good player, and he'll get a crack at that job, and there'll be a competition, but we're excited about him being able to man that job," Lynch said.
McKivitz is definitely an intriguing candidate due to his years of experience in the system, but it doesn't seem at all like the 2020 fifth-round pick is guaranteed the starting job in 2023.
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John Lynch: 49ers 'incredibly encouraged' after Brock Purdy throwing session
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
Why John Lynch believes 49ers QB Brock Purdy is the "real deal"
By Rohan Chakravarthi
May 31
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
John Lynch: 49ers QB Trey Lance having a 'really, really quality offseason'
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
Kyle Shanahan: 49ers QB Brock Purdy throwing 3 times a week, "right on track" with recovery
The San Francisco 49ers were optimistic that quarterback Brock Purdy would fully recover from offseason surgery in time for the regular season. That hasn't changed as the team kicked off its mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Purdy underwent surgery on March 10 to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. He started some limited throwing last week, a big step in his rehab.
Reporters got a glimpse of Purdy on Tuesday, running on the side as his teammates practiced. While no throws were observed during the session, the recovering quarterback does throw multiple times a week.
"He's right on pace," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Tuesday's practice. "I think he throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It's part
