While the NFL combine is all about looking at future prospects, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch spent much of his combine media availability discussing some of the biggest names already on his roster. Following an injury-riddled 6-11 season that saw the 49ers miss the playoffs for the first time since 2020, San Francisco has hit a turning point with many of its top offensive weapons.
Lynch opened the press conference by discussing Brock Purdy’s current contract negotiations. The last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft is entering the final year of his contract with San Francisco. Since Purdy became a starter in 2022, no quarterback has a higher EPA per play than his mark of 0.267, according to RBSDM. The 49ers are 23-13 in his starts despite going 6-9 with the QB under center in 2024. With an injury-riddled offense at his disposal, Purdy posted a career-low 65.9 completion percentage and career-low 96.1 passer rating with a career-high 12 interceptions.
“We have started negotiations, we’re talking,” Lynch said. “We want Brock to be our quarterback as long as we’re here.”
“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, and we’ve been able to do that.”
One player who may not be in the fold for long is wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The dual-threat wide receiver was given permission to seek a trade in early February. Samuel has voiced his frustration about a lack of involvement in the 49ers offense over the course of the 2024 season. Despite injuries to multiple offensive weapons, Samuel finished third on the team in targets behind Jauan Jennings and George Kittle.
“We’re on good terms with Deebo,” Lynch said when referring to Samuel’s trade request. “He’s asked for a fresh start and I think we’re going to honor that.”
Samuel has been a revolutionary piece for the 49ers offense. The receiver was awarded first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 after posting a career-high 1,405 receiving yards while also carrying the ball 59 times for 365 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Coined the “wide back,” Samuel’s speed and dual-threat ability helped define the multiple ways Kyle Shanahan’s offense could attack a team. Following his age 28 season, however, Samuel’s dual-threat ability has lost some of its effectiveness. His 3.2 yards per rushing attempt on 42 carries were a career low, as were his 44.7 receiving yards per game and 40.7 percent success rate in the passing game.
“One of my favorite draft picks of my time,” Lynch said, who has served as the 49ers general manager since 2017. “He makes plays, he makes game-changing plays. Everything’s good, but at some point, time happens.”
While Samuel may have played his final game in a 49ers uniform, the team fully expects to have another offensive weapon back in the fold in running back Christian McCaffrey. Following his first full season with the 49ers that saw him post more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage en route to an Offensive Player of the Year award and third place in MVP voting, McCaffrey played just four games in 2024 while battling through injuries.
“I think (McCaffrey) was real frustrated with the way last season went and is doing everything possible — as he did in preparation for last year,” Lynch said. “We’re hoping CMC’s out there and gonna have a tremendous year. If he’s healthy, he will have a tremendous year. That’s just what he does.”
Lynch added that McCaffrey will be available for parts of the offseason program, noting that the 49ers want to be “judicious” about his return amid his continued rehab from the PCL injury.
Another player returning to the 49ers is three-time All-Pro tackle Trent Williams. Williams, who will be 37 at the start of next season, played his fewest game in a season since joining the 49ers, missing the last seven games of the season with an ankle injury. While Williams allowed his highest opponent sack rate (0.6 percent) since 2020, he is still playing at an elite level, posting his lowest blown block rate (1.5 percent) since 2021, per Sports Info Solution.
“I think he’s really motivated to come back,” Lynch said of Williams playing next season. “That’s rarified air, that Trent lives in. When you’re a player who has experience playing at those heights, you don’t want to play unless you’re playing at that level. That’s where Trent’s at. I think we’re going to see a real motivated Trent Williams to come back and have a great year. That’s a good thing for us.”
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(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
