Getty Image / Lachlan Cunningham
San Francisco 49ers General Manager and Pro Football Hall of Fame Safety John Lynch has done quite a job as an executive for the 49ers. Oftentimes, the transition from player to executive fails spectacularly, but not in this case.
John Lynch joined the San Francisco 49ers as general manager in January 2017 after the team had an abysmal 2-14 season, tied for the worst record in the history of the franchise. Since then, the team has been one of the best in the NFL. They led the Chiefs in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LIV, and have made the NFC Championship Game on two other occasions in his tenure.
The talent added during his tenure is remarkable. Players like Trent Williams, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel and Fred Warner, among many others. While he has made some moves that have yet to pay off, like trading up for 2021 third-overall pick Trey Lance to be the franchise quarterback, the team has continued to win, and all but a few franchises would love to have the roster that he has.
He’s famous for his wheeling-and-dealing, too, like the move that acquired Christian McCaffrey at the trade deadline last year. And, he’s traded away big pieces too, like moving star defensive lineman DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts. But, there is one player that Lynch won’t trade away.
Here are more details, according to Pro Football Talk.
San Francisco General Manager John Lynch said last month that the 49ers would listen to anything regarding the possibility of trading quarterback Trey Lance. But one thing the 49ers won’t listen to is a trade request involving defensive end Nick Bosa.
Asked on Monday about the possibility that teams might call with trade offers for Bosa, Lynch said the 49ers wouldn’t take those calls.
“That hotline is closed. It never opened,” Lynch said.
Bosa is one of the league’s premier defensive players. He was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, and was just named NFL Defensive Player of the Year this season. He missed all but two games in his 2nd season, but he’s had 43 sacks in the other three seasons and is very stout against the run. The edge player is as good as it gets in the NFL.
However, the 49ers and John Lynch have to lock him up long-term. They picked up his fifth-year option, obviously. But, he only has one year left on his deal. And, he’s going to get a huge payday, hence the questions about his availability. Sounds like he won’t be going anywhere, though.