John Lynch breaks down the 49ers' trade for Chase Young, which has a small caveat with the Commanders. That, plus more Steve Wilks talk.
On Monday, San Francisco 49ers fans were probably happy their team wouldn't play again until Week 10 after taking a much-needed bye-week break in Week 9.
That's what three-game losing streaks can do to a fanbase.
On Tuesday evening, those same fans probably now wish the Niners were playing over the weekend, as it would allow them to see San Francisco's newest blockbuster addition, defensive end Chase Young, picked up in a grand scoop of a pre-NFL trade deadline move by general manager John Lynch from the Washington Commanders.
All it took was a compensatory 2024 third-round NFL Draft pick, one the 49ers are likely to get back in a year, assuming Young departs via free agency this upcoming offseason.
At 5-3, and with their defense reeling, Young hopefully invigorates a pass rush that's been largely absent for much of the year despite the presence of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa, who just so happened to be Young's collegiate teammate at Ohio State.
On Wednesday, Lynch broke down how it all went down, and there's something that might be a bit of a surprise.
Check it out in today's news wire.
John Lynch talked Chase Young deal with Commanders well before NFL trade deadline
Sometimes, trades can come together at the 11th hour and seemingly out of nowhere.
That wasn't exactly the case here.
During his post-deadline press conference, Lynch told reporters that he had interactions with Washington's general manager, Martin Mayhew, long before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
"Martin and I touched base quite a while ago, maybe two weeks ago," Lynch said. "I was gauging the likelihood that [Young] would be available. Martin thought that there was a good chance that would be in play."
It also helps to know that Mayhew used to work within the Niners front office under Lynch before heading east to take on the Commanders' general manager role.
"We've been tracking Chase for some time, and Martin did a really good job," Lynch added. Martin kept us in the loop because we were looking at a variety of things."
But, wait... there was potentially more to the trade.
Commanders offered Montez Sweat along with Chase Young to 49ers
With the ongoing fire sale in Washington, many felt the Commanders would trade away one of their two top pass-rushers, Chase Young or Montez Sweat.
Not necessarily both.
Ultimately, Martin Mayhew moved both players, Sweat going to the Chicago Bears.
However, as John Lynch also pointed out, Sweat was briefly discussed as part of a package deal to San Francisco that was going to include Young anyway.
"At some point, Martin said, ‘Hey, listen for the right price, Sweat could likely be had as well,'" Lynch revealed. "And so, that’s kind of where it was."
The 49ers weren't interested, though.
While that would have been provocative, one of the clear winners of the Niners' trade moves is embattled defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who has been taking some hits over the last three weeks.
Players and coaches are nevertheless defending him.
Charvarius Ward says moving Steve Wilks from booth to field isn't necessary
Steve Wilks is taking heat amid San Francisco's losing streak, and it's fair to state his defense is doing far less than what's expected, given the level of talented players on the roster.
Some have suggested Wilks should move down from the booth, where he's currently calling plays, and take up a position on the field alongside his players. After all, this is what head coach Kyle Shanahan's previous two defensive coordinators, now-New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and now-Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans did.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward doesn't think that matters, though.
Related story: Fred Warner, Kyle Shanahan stick up for Steve Wilks amid defensive woes
“[Ryans] had good energy,” Ward told NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan. “You’d always see him on the sidelines celebrating when we get a third down stop, or a big hit, but we as players give Meco that energy by the plays that we make.
“If we aren’t making plays, he’s not going to be like that, not going to be hyped. I think that comes from our play, what we are doing on the field.”
Instead, Ward pointed out that Wilks is still learning and adjusting to San Francisco's defensive scheme, and he also felt the veteran coordinator will be just fine, saying, "coaches coach and players play."