Lynch reveals Chase Young-to-49ers blockbuster trade timeline

Upon being hired as 49ers general manager in 2017, John Lynch made a phone call to a long-time friend to see if he would join him in the team's front office. Martin Mayhew, with whom Lynch played in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive backfield in the mid-1990s, accepted the offer to join the 49ers' personnel department. Mayhew previously served as Detroit Lions general manager. Mayhew, now the Washington Commanders' general manager, and Lynch have remained close. And their familiarity with each other was a driving force in the 49ers' ability to acquire defensive end Chase Young in a trade with the Commanders at the NFL trading deadline. "I think relationships matter in these things," Lynch said Wednesday morning on a conference call with Bay Area reporters. Lynch said he reached out approximately two weeks ago to see if there was any possibility Young would be available in a trade. Earlier this year, the Commanders declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Young is scheduled for unrestricted free agency in March after completing his fourth NFL season. At 3-5, the Commanders appeared to be in a mode to sell some assets to...