While his words weren't pessimistic at all, John Lynch also didn't want to suggest Brock Purdy's extension is just around the corner either.
The fact quarterback Brock Purdy showed up to the opening day of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason activities despite it being voluntary and in light of his own lucrative contract extension talks suggested a deal is imminent.
At the very least, Purdy's attendance revealed the two sides aren't too far apart on an extension that could result in him getting paid an annual average of $50 million. If the Niners' offer wasn't even in the proverbial ballpark, the quarterback would have little reason to show up.
But he did.
However, general manager John Lynch pumped the proverbial breaks on the talk and speculation suggesting an extension would be announced soon.
Appearing on NBC Sports' Chris Simms' Unbuttoned podcast, Lynch gave a subtle reminder not to get too excited about a deal being finalized soon.
"I can tell you, we’ve made it a practice not to talk about negotiations," Lynch told Simms. "And that goes way back to when I was playing. I felt like that was my business and I didn’t want the world knowing it. So I’ve always been very sensitive to that.
"But what I will tell you and can tell you is we’re having really good, positive discussions. When it gets done, I’m not sure. Hope sooner rather than later, but hope is not a strategy. So, we’re making progress. We’ve had good discussions."
You can listen to Simms' full podcast below:
The comments parallel what Lynch said back at the NFL Combine earlier this offseason: discussions are going well, and both sides are interested in finalizing a deal, but nothing is imminent.
Now, by adding words like "hope" and "progress," Lynch is sending a pretty obvious reminder that the finishing point isn't here just yet.
And it's possible both parties have to continue the discussions for a while before pen is officially put to paper, too.