49ers GM John Lynch Talks Purdy Contract, Samuel Trade, and More

49ers GM John Lynch Discusses Contract Talks with Brock Purdy and Other Key Team Updates

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch is in the midst of a busy offseason, and one of his top priorities is securing a contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy. Speaking at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Lynch confirmed that discussions with Purdy are underway, emphasizing the team’s commitment to making Purdy the franchise’s quarterback for the foreseeable future.

“We have started negotiations,” Lynch stated. “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 are here and beyond, and we’ll leave it at that. I think the final thing; there’s no guarantees that we’ll get something done, but my experience has been, when both sides are motivated, there’s ample opportunity to do so and we’ve been able to do that.”

The 49ers have a strong track record of securing deals with their core players. Since 2020, they’ve successfully negotiated contracts with key players such as tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner, receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., defensive end Nick Bosa, and wideout Brandon Aiyuk. However, these agreements often came just before training camp or the start of the regular season.

Both the 49ers and Purdy are eager to avoid a prolonged negotiation process. After the 2024 season ended, Purdy expressed his desire to finalize a deal before the team’s offseason program begins in April. This timeline is crucial, as having the starting quarterback present during OTAs and minicamp is more critical than other positions.

Lynch described the early negotiations with Purdy as “good discussions,” adding, “They’ve got their thoughts, we’ve got our thoughts. We’ve just got to try to make it a reality. He’s played really well, and we know that we have every intention of making him our guy. It’s just coming to an agreement.”

While the Purdy contract is a priority, it’s not the only deal the 49ers are working on as free agency looms. The team is also seeking a trade partner for Deebo Samuel, who formally requested a trade after the season. Samuel told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Feb. 9, “I think it’s best that we find another team.”

In his first public comments about the trade request, Lynch expressed the team’s willingness to accommodate Samuel’s wishes. “We’re on good terms with Deebo,” Lynch said. “He’s asked for a fresh start, and I think we’re going to honor that. He is a great player … I think often one of my favorite draft picks of my time. He makes plays, and he makes game-changing plays. Everything is good. But I think 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. We’re having conversations, so we’ll see where that goes.”

Lynch did not elaborate on the reasons behind Samuel’s trade request but noted that mutual respect remains between both parties. When asked if there was a scenario where Samuel could return, Lynch mentioned that there’s always a chance, referencing Jimmy Garoppolo‘s unexpected return in 2022. If a trade cannot be found, the 49ers may release Samuel before his $15.4 million roster bonus is due on March 22.

“Hopefully we find a great place,” Lynch said. “We’ll have to make a decision if we don’t. But I could say there’s been a lot of interest around the league.”

Another key player the 49ers hope to retain is George Kittle, who is entering the final year of his contract. Kittle has expressed his desire to finish his career with the 49ers, the only NFL team he has ever known. Lynch confirmed that discussions with Kittle’s agent have begun, but timing will be a crucial factor given the team’s other priorities.

“We want George to retire a Niner,” Lynch said. “He’s one of those guys. He’s a Niner through and through, and so we want that to become a reality. I think the only thing on that is timing, and that’s no different from what I’ve told George and his agent. [There are] some other things we’re focused on, and George is certainly there, but I think that’s something we want to all see become a reality.”

Additional 49ers Updates from Lynch:

• Brandon Aiyuk is scheduled to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in the coming weeks to assess his recovery from a torn right ACL and MCL suffered in October. No timeline for Aiyuk’s return has been set.

• Running back Christian McCaffrey is “doing great” in his recovery from a right PCL injury. Lynch mentioned that McCaffrey might participate in parts of the offseason program, though the team will proceed with caution.

• With linebacker Dre Greenlaw set to become an unrestricted free agent, the team is working to re-sign him before he hits the open market. “Hopefully we can come to an agreement,” Lynch said.

• Brian Griese’s decision to step away from coaching the 49ers quarterbacks was a “family decision,” according to Lynch. Griese had committed to coaching for three years starting in March 2022 and made a tough decision that he felt was best for his family.