SANTA CLARA — John Lynch’s pre-draft press conference Monday revolved more so around the 49ers’ trade market.
What is Trey Lance’s fate? Is Brandon Aiyuk staying put? Heck, what about Nick Bosa?
State quarterback, or Aiyuk. Nor did the 49ers’ general manager deny
quarterback who was drafted No. 3 overall in 2021.
of smoke, really. It hasn’t been extremely active,” Lynch said. “It’s
InForum.com he had “no information” on that. Lynch, however, said
Monday: “Trey and I have talked. He knows exactly what the situation
The situation: Brock Purdy essentially overtook Lance and Jimmy
Garoppolo for the starting role by winning eight games last season,
before tearing an elbow ligament in the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game
loss.
Purdy is six weeks removed from elbow surgery — ” He’s
definitely on schedule and hitting all the checkpoints,” Lynch said — so
he is six weeks away from throwing footballs. Until he’s healthy, Lance
is the best man on campus to run the offense in the offseason program,
although veteran Sam Darnold joined the mix last month.
“I expect
Trey to be here. We’re excited about Trey’s ability to compete and what
he can do for our franchise,” Lynch added. “The only thing that’s
changed this offseason is Trey has gone and got himself healthy.”
Lance
has started four games (2-2) and played in eight. His ankle injury, in
last season’s home opener, came on just the 262nd snap of his career. He
said his right ankle gained full clearance last month, as he said
Saturday watching his alma mater, North Dakota State, and his younger
brother, Bryce, in their final spring practice.
“Last year I
played the one game in Chicago and then got hurt, so it was kind of over
before it even got started. But I am just excited for this year,” Lance
told Inforum.com. “This offseason, just focusing on getting better.
Focusing on getting these guys better in the locker room and just being a
great teammate, a great leader.”
Two years ago, the 49ers
selected Lance after trading up to No. 3 overall, sending first-round
picks in 2021-23 to the Miami Dolphins, along with a 2022 third-rounder.
Lynch’s
most definitive answer came in shooting down the wild notion Bosa might
be shopped, rather than being extended the NFL’s richest contract ever
for a non-quarterback, with that deal expected in late July.
“That hotline is closed. That never opened,” Lynch said of a Bosa trade.
Aiyuk is one of Lance’s closest teammates, and after his first
1,000-yard season, the 49ers have yet to announce if they'll use the
2024 fifth-year option for him or fellow 2020 first-rounder Javon
Kinlaw. The bigger decision could come in 2024 when Deebo Samuel’s
salary ballons to $21 million; Aiyuk’s fifth-year option could be in the
$14 million range.
“We’re trying to do something special this
year and Brandon is going to be a big part of that, and beyond, as
well,” Lynch said. “We’re really excited about Brandon. He took a big
step last year and the best is yet to come.”
The biggest step any
49ers’ player has taken in this regime’s six-year history was that of
Bosa, their 2019 No. 2 overall selection who won NFL Defensive Player of
the Year honors last season. He’s slated to make $18 million this year,
but an extension should ensure an annual salary of over $30 million.
“I’ve
stated many times that (Bosa extension) is a priority for this
offseason,” Lynch said. “History says we have a really good track record
doing that and making that come to fruition.”
Spending so much
money on non-quarterbacks is the 49ers’ working business model, and that
works against any idea they’d make a move for Lamar Jackson, the
Baltimore Ravens’ franchise-tagged quarterback.
“We seem to be
linked to everything,” Lynch said of any Jackson interest. “I can tell
you how convicted we are on Brock and this group of guys.”
