SANTA CLARA, CA – San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch was in no hurry to ask questions about successor Deebo Samuel in his media in the preliminary draft on Monday.
Before opening the nearly 30-minute inquiry session, Lynch spent about 5 minutes of that time thanking his staff for their hard work on the upcoming NFL project and discussing the project itself. The brief mention of Samuel was mixed, but only to say that he did not intend to reveal details of the situation.
In the end, the inquiries came in groups, and although Lynch did not reveal why Samuel asked for an exchange, any details about the negotiations or how things got here, he made it clear that the Niners have little desire to trade the star receiver / working back.
“I can’t imagine wanting to move from Deebo,” Lynch said. “You are undergoing the exercises, although we have no choice in the first round, you must be thorough in this process and prepare for everything. So you go through it and you do it. He’s too good for a player … We have nothing but love for him and nothing but gratitude for what he has brought, but just don’t let boys like you walk around. So I can’t imagine a scenario in which we would [trade him]”
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Samuel told ESPN’s Jeff Darlington last week that he had requested an exchange, and subsequent reports noted that Samuel had refused to hire the Niners for a potential contract extension. Samuel is entering the final year of his rookie contract, a deal that comes with a high of just under $ 5 million for 2022.
Lynch confirmed reports that Samuel had asked for a deal, but declined to add many more, noting that it was “unproductive” to discuss details of contract negotiations. However, Lynch said that the team and Samuel have been in contact for the past few weeks and that the situation with Samuel has not changed the team’s approach to the NFL draft.
The 49ers have no choice in the first round and Lynch said he expects Thursday night to be “a bit boring” because of that.
Of course, this does not mean that speculation about potential trade with Samuel will slow down on the eve of the first round. Asked if a significant offer could change Niners’ view of a deal with Samuel, Lynch left the door slightly open.
“Since we’ve been here, we’ve consistently listened to almost everyone,” Lynch said. “It’s something we’ll always do. But I can’t imagine moving from Deebo. He was such a great player for us. He means so much to this franchise.”
Samuel emerged from a dynamic, unique season in which he posted 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns, along with 365 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, as he coined the term “broad back” for his ability to switch between receiver and receiver. . the traditional running backwards.
Some reports indicate that Samuel was not happy with this use due to the additional tax on his body. During and after the season, Samuel did not offer such concerns, and it seems that the parties were moving towards a long-term agreement this off-season before Samuel’s request for trade.
So it was a little confusing to understand why Samuel was now interested in leaving San Francisco.
“But this is life,” Lynch said. “You have to work on things, and that’s what we intend to do.”
Meanwhile, the 49ers began their off-season training program last week without Samuel. According to the players in the building, Samuel’s situation was not much to discuss.
“Deebo’s business is his business,” said Mike McGlinchie of the offensive match. “It’s never something that players start talking about, except congratulations after the contract negotiations … But it’s no secret what Deebo means to our football team. He is one of our best players, if not the best. our good player, and he deserves it all, but it’s obvious that these guys are among those who understand him. “
Midfielder Fred Warner, who was in a similar situation to Samuel last year, eventually became the highest paid (at the time of signing) off-line defender in league history just before the training camp opened in July. Warner said it took a lot of patience, but it worked out.
“We all care about Deebo,” Warner said. “We all understand that when this is part of the process, this player has to go through it. People who have been through this are here to help him if he has questions or anything like that, but he is an old man. He must go through this process, and we must all respect him. This is the business side of the game … it’s just his process right now. “
Another player going through this process is defender Nick Boza, who is also eligible for a contract extension for the first time. On Monday, the Niners exercised the fifth-year option for Boza, who does not attend the early, voluntary part of the off-season program, but not for contractual reasons.
Lynch reaffirmed that, like Samuel, the Bosa deal is a priority and will come “at the right time.”
Elsewhere, quarterback Jimmy Garopolo is still returning from right shoulder surgery and rehabilitation in Los Angeles, while the Niners expect trade to develop.
“We are in contact with his office and in communication with him,” Lynch said. “I think the progress is good, so he’s kind of following exactly where we said it, and he’s throwing it towards the end of June and then stepping it up from there. This is the place.”
Alex Mack, the 36-year-old center of the team who has just finished his 13th season in the NFL, has not yet decided whether to return to the team or retire. Lynch said Mack would reveal that choice when he did.
“We talked to Alex, we talked to him,” Lynch said. “I would say that I will not speak on behalf of Alex on this issue. I think Alex will comment on this at the appropriate time.”
The 49ers have nine picks in the NFL draft with three in Day 2. An early pick in the center is probably independent of Mack’s decision, but it can also be an indicator of where this will go.
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