From Brock Purdy’s contract negotiations to Deebo Samuel’s trade request, 49ers general manager John Lynch addressed those and other pressing topics Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine.
This came in Lynch’s first press conference since Jan. 8, when he sat aside coach Kyle Shanahan two days after ending a 6-11, last-place season. Shanahan, for a fifth straight year, is bypassing the combine and staying back with his reassembled coaching staff.
Here are the key takeaways from Lynch’s formal session in Indianapolis:
BROCK PURDY CONTRACT
Lynch revealed that negotiations are underway with Brock Purdy’s agent, Kyle Strongin, on an extension, which Purdy became eligible for once last season ended 51 days ago. Purdy has one year remaining on the deal he signed as the 2022 NFL Draft’s final pick, although his 2025 salary bumped up to $5.3 million
“We want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here and beyond,” Lynch said in echoing Shanahan’s stance at the Jan. 8 press conference. “There’s no guarantees we get something done but my experience has been when both sides are motivated, there’s ample opportunity to do so.”
Purdy, two days before that, stressed a desire to get a deal done with urgency and without drama, unlike the 49ers’ contract impasses in recent years with Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel.
Other quarterbacks expected to impact Purdy’s pay grade are pending free agents Sam Darnold and Aaron Rodgers, along with Matthew Stafford, whose tenure with the Los Angeles Rams could be short-lived if a trade is executed.
Another extension Lynch said the 49ers are working on, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, is for tight end George Kittle, who has one year remaining on his contract.
‘HONORING’ SAMUEL TRADE
In light of Deebo Samuel announcing on Super Bowl Sunday that he wants a trade, the 49ers will “honor” that request and “it probably makes sense so we’re at least allowing him to look,” said Lynch.
Samuel, the franchise’s 11th all-time leader in receiving yards through six seasons, is drawing “a lot of interest” around the NFL, Lynch added. Samuel is entering the final year of a three-year extension he battled for three years ago amid an initial trade request.
“We’re on good terms with Deebo. He’s asked for a fresh start and I think we’re going to honor that,” Lynch said. “I don’t like seeing great players (leave) and he is a great player. He’s one of my favorite draft picks of my time (second round, 2019). He makes plays and he makes game-changing plays. Everything is good, but at some point, time happens. He asked for that (trade). There’s contract and things. But it probably makes sense so we’re at least allowing him to look. We’re having conversations and we’ll see what happens.”
McCAFFREY UPDATE
Christian McCaffrey, limited to four games last season because of Achilles and knee injuries, is doing a “great” job in rehabilitation and could be cleared to “parts” of the 49ers’ offseason program that runs from mid-April through early June.
“He’s frustrated with the way last season went and he’s doing everything that is possible, as he did in preparation for last year,” Lynch said. “We’re hoping CMC is out there and having a tremendous year. Ife he’s healthy, he will have a tremendous year.”
Achilles tendinitis kept McCaffrey out the first two months of last season, then the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year injured his posterior cruciate ligament four games into his comeback.
TRENT WILLIAMS’ STATUS
Left Tackle Trent Williams is “playing and he’s ready” after missing the final seven games with an ankle injury, Lynch said. Williams, 36, did not report to the 49ers until Week 1 last season, after agreeing to a three-year, $82.7 million contract.
Said Lynch: “He’s really motivated to come back. That’s rarified air that Trent lives in, and when you’re a player that has experience playing at those heights, you don’t want to play unless you’re at that level.”
MONEY RESPONSE ON AIYUK
Lynch cited the 49ers’ cash-spending habits while not disputing a report by The Athletic that teams have inquired about trading for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from knee reconstruction. “That typically happens with really good players. I remember two years ago having similar conversations. You get calls and always listen to calls,” Lynch said.
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million with a $23 million signing bonus after a lengthy holdout through last preseason. Lynch continued his response by alluding to the 49ers’ spending habits.
“Since Kyle and I have been here, I think we’ve been a top-five – No. 2 – cash-spending team. Going into the fourth year, I think we’re the fourth-highest cash-spending team. At some point, you have to reset a little bit or at least recalibrate. You can’t keep pressing the pedal,” Lynch said. “There’s some good that can come out of it. We need to get younger. We were the oldest team in football trying to make a run at the thing last year. It’s good to constantly get younger.
“Our draft class last year was a great move toward that. We’ll have four picks in the top 100, if the comp picks happen like we see it. We’ll have 10 picks overall. We’re excited about adding more youth to a great corps of players we already have.”
FREE AGENT OUTLOOK
The 49ers have been in touch with linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga, as well as their respective agents, in hopes of preventing them from leaving as free agents.
As for defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s potential return, Lynch noted that position is coveted in free agency and will command a high price, which is what the 49ers paid two years ago to sign him.
GRIESE’S CAREER MOVE
Brian Griese stepped away after three seasons as quarterbacks coach to spend more time with his family, but that he is not officially retiring from coaching, Lynch said. “(Griese) gave us three-year commitment. He’s a very principled guy,” Lynch said. “As often does, family and other things – I don’t want to speak for Brian – but other things were pulling at him, but respect he made a tough decision but one he felt was best for him and his family.”
The 49ers revealed Shanahan’s new coaching staff Tuesday with Mick Lombardi succeeding Griese, and Klay Kubiak elevated to offensive coordinator, both of whom figure to work closely with Shanahan in guiding Purdy into his fourth NFL season.
SALEH’S ENERGETIC ENCORE
Robert Saleh’s return as defensive coordinator, after three others held that role the past four seasons, is a “welcome sight,” said Lynch, noting: “Saleh brought a great deal when he was last year. He’s even better now with the experiences he’s had. It’s a welcome sight to have him back – the energy, the expertise, the leadership he brings.”
Lynch noted that Saleh was a “great reference” in the 49ers’ hiring special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, who previously held that role with the New York Jets, where Saleh served as coach from 2021 through four games into 2024. Lynch noted that he sat in on the interviews with Boyer and other candidates.
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