There's been some speculation on when the San Francisco 49ers were made aware of veteran tackle Joe Staley's decision to retire. Some had wondered if general manager John Lynch and company knew about the decision well before the draft, and whether or not Lynch knew about it when he told reporters he was confident Staley would play in his 14th NFL season.
Did the 49ers keep the information "close to the vest" and "strategically lie," as so many teams do leading to the draft?
Apparently, Staley didn't confirm his decision to Lynch and the 49ers until the week leading to the draft, which is what head coach Kyle Shanahan has indicated, as well.
"The reality on that deal, we didn't really have the conversation with Joe until the week of the draft," Lynch told Andrew Siciliano on NFL Now. "I think Joe was trying to give himself and his body time. Joe wanted to keep playing, but his body simply didn't allow for it.
"We felt like the quarantine, and everything going on, was his best friend and our best friend, just giving him time as he gets away from the season. Maybe his body comes around. Finally, draft week, Joe picked up the phone and said, 'Guys, I can't do this. I've got to make a decision for my family.'
"And so, it was very opportune that Trent Williams was sitting out there. We quickly interjected ourselves in that conversation. I worked hard with (Washington head coach) Ron Rivera to try to get it done, and we did as an organization. Fortunately, we were able to do it."
Lynch revealed during a separate interview on KNBR that Staley didn't actually inform the team that he had reached a decision until the Monday or Tuesday before the draft.
The 49ers transition from one Pro Bowl left tackle to another in Staley to Williams. It was fortunate that the team was able to immediately find a replacement upon learning that Staley would not be returning.
"We'll miss Joe," Lynch added. "Joe's been a huge part of this franchise, but to be able to come up with a guy like Trent Williams, at that late date, was a godsend for us."
