John Lynch sounded emotional over the phone during a conference call with reporters Tuesday, when he discussed the trade deadline move to send running back Jeff Wilson Jr. to the Miami Dolphins for a 2023 fifth-round pick.
The organization had a soft spot for Wilson after he made the team in 2018 as an undrafted rookie out of North Texas. When Elijah Mitchell went down with an MCL sprain in Week 1 this season, Wilson steadied the ship, leading the 49ers with 92 carries and 468 yards. But when the 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers two weeks ago, the writing was on the wall: there aren’t enough carries to go around for CMC, Wilson and Mitchell.
“We got an extremely deep group,” Lynch said of his running backs. “At some point, you can only keep so many, just from a roster approach as well. Like we knew when we made the Christian move, somebody would have to go. Ultimately, Jeff’s the one.”
The Niners traded Wilson with a heavy heart Tuesday, as he’ll get to reunite with former 49ers offensive coordinator and current Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, along with former Niners running back Raheem Mostert.
“I care greatly about Jeff Wilson,” Lynch said. “Believe me. The kid’s smile. He’s a warrior through some really hard times. That kid’s got such a smile that makes everyone feel good. And he’s got a fight to him. Can’t say enough good things about him. I’m proud of him, I’m happy for him and I’m grateful for everything he brought here.”
Miami initially showed interest last week but the lines of communication cooled down before heating back up on Monday, Lynch said. Parting with a player like Wilson was tough, but sending him to a good situation with McDaniel in Miami softened the blow.
“One of the things Mike wanted to assure us, is he knows how special Jeff is to us,” Lynch said. “He wanted to assure us that he’s taking good care of him and those things. Mike’s a great dude.”
Wilson got just six touches to McCaffrey’s 27 on Sunday, and expressed a desire to be in a featured role if the 49ers were to trade him.
“You have to make decisions that are great to your team, but you also have to try to take care of guys that have taken care of you,” Lynch said. “Not saying that Jeff demanded to be traded or anything, but I think given the situation, if we could find the right situation for him, I don’t know if begrudgingly is the right word, but he wanted that opportunity. We found, I think, a really good situation for him and good for us as well.”
The Dolphins were also wheeling and dealing before the deadline, as they sent running back Chase Edmonds to the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster deal to get linebacker Bradley Chubb. Now Wilson gets to share the backfield with Mostert, like they did from 2018-21 with San Francisco.
Mitchell could return as soon as Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers following the Niners bye week.
“He’s tracking really well,” Lynch said. “On Monday he’s gonna be working here just as he has been. The progress has been good. Where that ends up, I’m not sure.
Deebo Samuel (hamstring) could also return Week 10, as the 49ers offense could have a new look with the fully integrated McCaffrey.
