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San Francisco 49ers: Reading between the lines of Peter King’s MMQB report on 49ers draft room

By Chris Wilson

Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; (l to r) San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch , linebacker Reuben Foster , defensive lineman Soloman Thomas , and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for photos during the press conference at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky holds up a jersey during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky holds up a jersey during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Will the Bears Draft?

Once the 49ers completed their trade with the Chicago Bears, the Niners should have been able to deduce that the Bears were moving up to select a quarterback.

"“They felt mystified. They weren’t sure who the second pick would be.” – Peter King"

After the deal was essentially finalized, Chicago told Marathe that the 49ers will be comfortable with the player the Bears would select. The purpose of this statement was two-fold: to assure the Niners so they don’t ask for more in compensation, and to gain trust with the 49ers for the future.

At that point, Chicago knew the 49ers weren’t going to draft a quarterback, because if the Niners wanted a specific quarterback, they wouldn’t risk missing out on him for fairly meager compensation. Quarterback was the only position the Bears were sure the Niners weren’t going to draft at No. 3, and therefore, the only position the Bears could draft and then be sure that the Niners would be comfortable with their pick.

"”The Niners figured it was Thomas.” – Peter King"

Lynch stated he thought the Bears wanted Solomon Thomas. But if the Bears were trying to jump the 49ers in order to draft a player the 49ers were strongly connected to, why would they use that throw-away line, after the deal was made? Would the Bears intentionally rub it in the Niners’ faces, and needlessly cause bad blood for the future?