John Lynch addressed the media amidst the NFL Combine fray in Indianapolis Wednesday afternoon. There were updates and explanations for some additions and departures.
Brock Purdy contract negotiations
Don't get your hopes up just yet. The 49ers are still the 49ers and negotiations may just yet linger. Lynch said that negotiations are ongoing but that he wouldn't provide any update. He left the door open for a deal not to get done, but that would seem a startling scenario if it comes true.
"Yeah, we have started negotiations," Lynch said. "We're talking I won't go into negotiations like always is our stance. We want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we're here and beyond and we'll leave it at that. I think the final thing, there's no guarantees that we get something done, but my experience has been when both sides are motivated, there's ample opportunity to do so.
Brian Griese's departure
One of the most notable changes to the 49ers coaching staff is the departure of quarterbacks coach Brian Griese. It was an unexpected move, with Mick Lombardi replacing him. Lynch said that Griese, a "very principled guy," gave the 49ers a three-year commitment, and decided at the end of it that it would be best for his family to step away from coaching. He said they remain on good terms.
Trent Williams will keep playing
Lynch left no doubt that Trent Williams will return this season. He indicated that Williams holds himself to a high standard and would only play if he could maintain that standard.
"At some point, you have to reset"
There was no concrete update on the health of Brandon Aiyuk, who Lynch later told reporters has a notable check-up coming up. But the initial question he received on Aiyuk related to trading him. Lynch left the door open there, and pointed to the 49ers' financial realities, which could involve parting with key players going forward.
"You get calls, and you always listen to calls," Lynch said. "We're, I think since Kyle and I've been here, we've been, certainly a top five, I believe number two cash spending team in the last five years, or four years. going into the fourth year, I think we're the fourth highest cash spending team. So at some point you have to reset a little bit, or at least recalibrate. You can't just keep pressing the pedal.
"I think there's some good that can come out of it. We need to get younger. I think we're the oldest team in football. Trying to make a run at the deal last year, and I think it's good to constantly get younger. Our draft class last year was a great move towards that. We'll have four picks in the top 100 if the comp picks happen like we see it. As always a calculation. We'll have 10 picks overall, and we're excited about adding more youth to a great core of players that we already have."
That point, about an impending "reset" or the need to "recalibrate" points to the most notable part of Lynch's presser, which is that the 49ers will probably end up cutting Deebo Samuel with a post-June 1 designation
Lynch was asked about his comments at the end of the season that the 49ers are not in the business of parting with good players, and that they intended to keep Samuel. But with Samuel's trade request, and the reality that he has a $15.4 million option bonus due March 22, the 49ers seem content to part with Samuel.
Here's Lynch's full quote on Samuel. He said they'd "honor" Samuel's request for a fresh start.
"Still not interested, but along those lines of the financial constraints and some conversations we've had with Deebo and we've been been forthright with that," Lynch said. "We're on good terms with Deebo. He's asked for a fresh start, and I think we're going to honor that. Don't like seeing great players [leave]. And he is a great player. I think often, one of my favorite draft picks in my time. This guy, he makes plays, and he makes game-changing plays. Everything's good, but at some point, time happens, and he asked for that. There's contracts and things, but it probably makes sense, so we're at least allowing him to look and we're having conversations. We'll see where that goes."
The reality, again, is that the 49ers will likely designate Samuel as a post-June 1 cut. It's the only way to avoid the option bonus, and save north of $5 million by doing so. Lynch did not seem bullish on a trade, which would cost the 49ers $31.5 million in dead cap before June 1.