At the NFL Combine, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch made it clear significant roster turnover was coming this offseason. The Niners have been significant cash spenders in recent years, but an ownership-mandated shift in that regard was looming at some point.
Last season's 6-11 finish was that tipping point, and an easy one at that.
The exit of talent from San Francisco's roster has been notable, and free-agent additions have been less than inspiring. To his credit, Lynch did not avoid talking about what was coming when he spoke to reporters in Indianapolis. There are plenty of other general managers who would not have been so open about a roster teardown, even if there some easy questions now (releasing Kyle Juszczyk only to bring him back days later?).
Lynch was at Stanford's Pro Day on Wednesday, and he made his first public comments since free agency began.
John Lynch says (and will continue to say) what he has to about 49ers' offseason plan
Via Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Lynch acknowledged that it was "terrible" to watch multiple key players leave the 49ers. But he insists there is a plan in place.
"We’ve got this thing called the draft, and we’ve got a lot of picks," Lynch said. "And I think the thing the fans should know is, we have a plan. And we’re gonna execute that plan. And we’re excited about the opportunity."
The Niners have 11 pick's in next month's draft, including four in the top-100 overall headlined by No. 11 overall. So, the cupboard is lined up to be re-stocked with younger and cheaper talent. But it's fair to say multiple immediate contributors will have to be found in the draft if there's any hope for the team to truly compete next season.
Edge Leonard Floyd and defensive tackle Maliek Collins both started all 17 games for San Francisco last season, so the decisions to release them were easier to question in the bigger picture of the roster teardown. Lynch was asked specifically about Floyd and Collins, and he referenced some "big things" that are coming.
"The bottom line is you’re always looking at years out (from now)," Lynch added. "And we forecast it and we’ve got some big things coming our way. And you have to clear the requisite room to be able to do that. And you don’t want to get to a point where you have to do things to keep your roster afloat. You want to have that flexibility.
"So guys like Leonard Floyd and Maliek — believe me, their impact was felt. They were great. It was nothing they did wrong. We just felt like it was the time to do it and we’re excited about what we can add and replenish."
The looming contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy is the biggest of those upcoming "big things" for the 49ers, and truly the driving force for what has happened this offseason. Tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner are in line for potential contract extension soon, too.
There can only be so much lipstick put on the pig that has been this lame-looking offseason for the 49ers. But Lynch foreshadowed what the plan was going to be, and on Wednesday he confirmed that plan is pretty much being executed. There has been a purge of veteran players, followed by a lean into having ample draft capital to "replenish" the roster in a more cost-effective fashion.
As expected, Lynch is trying to (and will continue to try to) assuage the natural concerns there are about said plan until it has been fully fleshed out.