The Washington Commanders announced Adam Peters as their new general manager, creating a notable void in the San Francisco 49ers' front office. Peters, who most recently held the position of assistant general manager, has been John Lynch's trusted right-hand man since joining the 49ers' staff in 2017.
Lynch is confident that the 49ers have a well-thought-out plan to address the gap left by Peters.
"We've got the plan in place. I want to give the due to these guys playing in this game," Lynch told reporters on Friday. "We've got a really good plan. I can tell you this: It's going to come internally. Not to say that later on, there might not be an add. We're always looking, but we've got great candidates. I think we do a great job, and it started before I got here.
"I think we have such great scouts because our scouting assistant program is so good, led by Ethan Waugh when I first got here. Adam took great pride in the development. We all take great pride. [Director of college scouting] Tariq Ahmad, very instrumental in that.
"We really do a nice job of training these guys such that there's a pipeline always. And I think it's only right that when you have capable people, you stay within because that speaks to what we preach, that, 'Hey, if you work your tail off and produce good work, there's going to be opportunities.'"
#49ers John Lynch says they will promote from within to replace assistant GM Adam Peters, who left after 7 years to become Commanders GM
Lynch can't confirm right now if Klint Kubiak leaving to become Saints OC pic.twitter.com/BqJbZMumjJ
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 2, 2024
While Lynch refrained from providing specifics about who might replace Peters, Matt Barrows of The Athletic suggests that, in addition to Ahmad, [director of pro personnel] RJ Gillen might be a candidate for promotion.
What will the 49ers do to replace Adam Peters? Promote from within, John Lynch said. He didn't give specifics, but it sounds as if they could give Tariq Ahmad and/or RJ Gillen expanded roles. Ahmad is the director of college scouting while Gillen is the director of pro personnel
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) February 2, 2024
