San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined KNBR on Monday, two days after the completion of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Niners' latest draft class consists of nine players. The GM shared that the team plans to hold its rookie minicamp on May 12.
Update: That is just the reporting day for players. The actual rookie minicamp takes place May 13-15.
Lynch also discussed his disgruntled wide receiver, second-year quarterback, and veteran quarterback. A rundown of what Lynch said on those topics is below.
What is happening with Deebo Samuel?
Lynch: "We're trying really hard with Deebo to work through whatever the issues might be. I always have really believed that there is a sacredness to those conversations and that they remain private, especially with things like this. I think it's in everyone's best interest we don't get into that. I don't think [the obstacles] are insurmountable. I think we can find a way to resolution, and we're hopeful for that because we know what he's been to this organization. Thirty-sixth pick in 2019, and he's been so good on and off the field. Obviously, a tremendous player. ... He makes us better. I think we make him better. And we're hopeful that we get everything right and that we're rolling forward."
Will Samuel be on the roster in 2022?
Lynch: "It's a yes for me, and that's our job. He's too good of a player. We've got too good of a thing going, and we want to keep that going. That's where I'll leave that."
What can you say about Trey Lance?
Lynch: "I can tell you this: We're so excited about Trey and his development. We gave up a lot. We certainly did. Trey was out there today, and it was the first day coaches could be out on the field. It's just really exciting to see the young man continue to grow. Now he's got to go do it on the field. He's got to go through those reps. There will be some learning lessons along the way, but he's immensely talented, he has a tremendous amount of mental horsepower, he can handle a lot of information. You have to be able to do that to play for Kyle, and we'll ask a lot of him. But he's up to that task."
What's the plan for Jimmy Garoppolo?
Lynch: "I felt like we were close in some [trade] discussions, and then the decision was made to have surgery. That just brought things to a screeching halt. People just don't do that, even with a likelihood that everything is going to be good. We continue to get calls about Jimmy, and we, as a group, got together and said he's too good of a player. He's got a lot of great tape out there. You don't just let guys like that walk out the door, and we want to either have Jimmy playing for us, which we're all right with, or we want him to get the value. ... I think once he starts throwing, people will feel more comfortable. And then, obviously, you've got to let things play out for other teams. ... Jimmy's a part of us. We're excited about that. But I think we all know that Trey's going to get the opportunity to go out there and play. He's got to earn that, but we believe he's in the process of doing that."
Lynch added: "It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if both of them were still here, and we move forward, and ... he is equipped to do that."
Lynch also discussed second-round pick Drake Jackson and re-signing Jason Verrett. You can listen to the entire conversation with the general manager below.
