Lynch Addresses Williams Talks at NFL Meetings

John Lynch on 49ers’ Free Agency Moves and Future Plans

PHOENIX – John Lynch, the 49ers’ general manager, took a moment before heading to an NFL competition committee meeting to ponder a question that has been circulating in the sports world: Could the 49ers sign Joey Bosa to play alongside his younger brother Nick on the defensive line?

“I know that would make Mama Bosa happy,” Lynch said with a smile, “but I don’t know if we can afford him.”

Cheryl Bosa’s social-media pleas to unite her two sons haven’t gone unnoticed. Meanwhile, the 49ers have been busy making moves in various areas since free agency opened three weeks ago.

As the NFL’s annual meeting got underway at the Biltmore Resort, Lynch addressed several topics, but notably avoided discussing Brandon Aiyuk or quarterbacks for a rare break.

Here are 10 key takeaways from Lynch’s comments:

1. The Precipice of Trent Williams’ Deal

Lynch expressed optimism about retaining Trent Williams for his seventh season with the 49ers, a month after a contract standoff became public during the NFL scouting combine. Negotiations have “intensified” in the last week, he said, adding, “It feels like we’re on the precipice of something good happening. I don’t want to make statements that we’re right there. We’re hopeful.”

By recently declining Williams’ $10 million bonus, that money was added into what’s now a $32 million non-guaranteed salary for the upcoming season.

“There’s a reality with his age (of turning 38 on July 19). How do you thread that needle where everyone is taken care of and happy?” Lynch added. “There’s some special nuance to it that we’ve tried to work through and both sides have been good with that.”

2. Week 1 Goal for George Kittle

Tight end George Kittle is recovering well from his Achilles repair, even golfing with friends in Bandon, Oregon. Five months from now, he might be playing football again. “We’re hopeful for Week 1,” Lynch said. “There’ll be some management during training camp. He’s progressing at a good rate.”

Kittle confirmed this in a recent interview, saying his surgeon and physical therapist are happy with his recovery from a right Achilles tear during the 49ers’ wild-card win at Philadelphia.

Lynch also shared other health updates: defensive ends Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams should be ready for training camp after anterior cruciate ligament repairs; linebacker Nick Martin is cleared from a late-season concussion.

3. Revamped Receiver Room

Lynch praised the signings of wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, not only for their play-making ability but for setting a veteran example for younger players under position coach Leonard Hankerson.

“Those (wide receiver) rooms are always interesting ones, with a lot of dynamics. To have two grown men is really exciting,” Lynch said. “Hank’s looking forward to it and we’re all looking forward to it, not to disparage anyone we’ve had. … Those guys play the game the right way.”

Lynch noted that while Evans provides a dynamic fit for their offense and has put up “Hall of Fame numbers,” the 49ers should provide him a “second wind” after a dozen years in Tampa Bay. Evans signed a three-year deal, more resembling a one-year, $14.3 million pact. “We got him on a good deal. He really wanted to be part of our organization. That’s humbling,” Lynch said.

4. Wishing Jauan Jennings Well

Still adrift in free agency and not expected back is Jauan Jennings; his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is at these meetings, by the way.

“He’ll find a good home and Jauan will go play great football for someone,” Lynch said. “I can’t say enough for what that guy did; when that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence and they had to deal with him, and he won us a lot of games.”

Lynch cast doubt on spending the 49ers’ first-round pick (No. 27 overall) on a wide receiver, but he did acknowledge how the draft overall is a “healthy” business tactic to address that position.

5. Defensive Line Plan

After an NFL-low 20 sacks last season, coupled with Bryce Huff’s recent retirement, the 49ers obviously still must upgrade their pass rush. Lynch is counting on more than just the healthy returns of Bosa and 2025 top pick Williams. “We’ll keep adding,” Lynch said.

Once attempts to sign unspecified defensive linemen fell through in free agency, Lynch said the 49ers pivoted and traded for Osa Odighizuwa from Dallas for a third-round pick.

“We’re really excited about adding a young, ascending player who we’ve long held in high regard. He has three years left on his contract,” Lynch said. “We needed that 3-technique to come in and disrupt and have a presence there. Osa really gives us that.”

6. Packing for Australia

The 49ers could arrive almost a week ahead of their season opener in Melbourne, Australia (5:30 p.m. PT on Sept. 10). “We’re looking into everything to make it comfortable,” said Lynch, noting that the Rams may arrive later and that they’ll have first choice in picking practice grounds.

“There’s a price to being a high-profile team with a lot of stars. The league wants us in prime-time situations,” Lynch added. “You have to advocate and I certainly do for our guys. At some point, these are the cards you’re dealt, so let’s make it the best we can. We try to come up with the best ideas to navigate that.”

The 49ers are much less concerned with preparations for their return to Mexico City, as Lynch noted how “seamless” it was to win there in 2022 after high-altitude training in Colorado Springs.

7. Facility Upgrades

Spurred somewhat by the NFL Players Association’s report card, the 49ers are spending $9 million in upgrades, from expanding their hydrotherapy pools to hiring three additional physical therapists.

The 49ers also brought in an independent scientist to confirm safe working conditions after skepticism surfaced over a neighboring electric substation’s potential role in players’ health.

8. Greenlaw’s Encore

When it comes to weighing risks versus reward for adding veterans with injury history, no one stands out more than linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who battled groin and Achilles issues in his 49ers tenure. Greenlaw overcame a quadriceps injury to play for the Denver Broncos, who released him and allowed the 49ers to sign him back on a one-year deal.

“We really missed him as a team. We fought hard to keep him,” Lynch said. “He really missed our place, so we get him back. We feel we know Dre’s body pretty well and felt the juice was worth the squeeze there.”

9. Green Trade Rumor

Lynch disputed any notion the 49ers tried to trade away cornerback Renardo Green, a 2024 second-round pick.

“Raheem (Morris, the new defensive coordinator) is really excited to work with Renardo. He sees tools that are untapped,” Lynch said. “He can be a big-time player. He hasn’t been bad by any account, but we think there’s a lot more in there.”

10. Left Guard Competition

Several candidates will compete to start at left guard after the free agency departures of Spencer Burford (Raiders) and Ben Bartch (Lions).

Pleased with how Connor Colby played there as a rookie, Lynch also has an eye on Robert Jones’ potential, saying: “Jones is a guy we’ve tracked and liked and played in a similar system (in Miami). Last year he didn’t play with a neck deal in an interesting situation. We did a thorough look into that and our neuro and spine guys felt good.”

Nick Zakelj and Brett Toth also could compete at left guard, and backup center. Vederian Lowe is seen as a swing tackle behind Williams and right tackle Colton McKivitz.