John Lynch Hired as San Francisco 49ers General Manager
The San Francisco 49ers announced the firing of general manager Trent Baalke on Jan. 1. On Sunday, the team announced the hiring of former NFL safety and Fox analyst John Lynch to take over the reins.
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Details on Lynch's Contract with 49ers Emerge
Sunday, Jan. 29
Lynch has recieved an "almost unprecedented" six-year contract with the 49ers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network noted Lynch was the "mystery candidate."
49ers Narrow Search to Final Candidates
Sunday, Jan. 29
Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star reported Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton met with the 49ers a second time on Jan. 27.
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reported Falcons offensive coordinator and potential new head coach Kyle Shanahan will possibly join 49ers management in their meetings with Paton and Terry McDonough, the Arizona Cardinals' vice president of player personnel.
There is a "good chance" the 49ers will hire McDonough or Paton, per Maiocco's source, who added, "It's not a lock."
However, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported it's "by no means certain" the 49ers will hire either McDonough or Paton.
On Saturday, Maiocco reported the two candidates have different styles. He also cited sources who describe McDonough as "fiery," "opinionated" and "passionate" and Paton as "well-regarded around the league."
Maiocco reported on Sunday that "Shanahan spoke with Paton and McDonough in the face-to-face meetings about how much control in personnel the positions would wield – both contractually and functionally."
Maiocco also reported there is a "third candidate with whom Shanahan is believed to be comfortable working."
Rapoport reported the 49ers could end the search by Monday.
49ers to Meet with McDonough Again
Tuesday, Jan. 24
Kent Somers of AZCentral.com reported McDonough is expected to have a second interview with the 49ers.
On Jan. 10, Maiocco reported the 49ers planned to interview McDonough.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald gave his opinion about McDonough:
Paton Expected to Get GM Job
Friday, Jan. 20
Rapoport reported on Jan. 20 that Paton is expected to be named the 49ers' new GM after he meets with the team and presumed new head coach Kyle Shanahan next week.
Polk Reportedly Could Be Candidate
Friday, Jan. 20
Nick Polk, the Atlanta Falcons' director of football of operations, is someone to "keep an eye on" as the 49ers navigate through their search for a new general manager, per Pro Football Talk.
Gutekunst Reportedly Withdraws from Contention
Friday, Jan. 20
Schefter reported Brian Gutekunst, the Green Bay Packers' director of player personnel, has withdrawn from consideration for the 49ers GM job.
Gutekunst was leading the pack to become the 49ers' new general manager, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Jan. 19.
"It's been Gutekunst for two weeks," one source close to the 49ers' search said, per McGinn. "He killed that interview. The owner says he's Scot McCloughan without the drinking problem."
The 49ers announced they met with Gutekunst on Jan. 5.
Wolf Reportedly Withdraws from Contention
Thursday, Jan. 19
Albert Breer of The MMQB and Tom Pelissero of USA Today both reported Eliot Wolf, the Green Bay Packers' director of football operations, withdrew from the 49ers' general manager search. Breer noted Wolf could be Ted Thompson's successor in Green Bay.
On Jan. 18, Rapoport reported the 49ers would have a second interview with Wolf. The 49ers interviewed Wolf in Green Bay on Jan. 5, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group.
49ers Schedule Round of Second Interviews
Wednesday, Jan. 18
Rapoport reported the 49ers will have second interviews for their GM position with Gutekunst as well as Paton.
Rapoport reported Gutekunst initially met with 49ers brass on Jan. 5.
49ers Meeting with Seahawks Execs
Tuesday, Jan. 17
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Trent Kirchner, the Seattle Seahawks' co-director of player personnel, has withdrawn from the 49ers' search.
The 49ers announced on Jan. 16 that they were meeting with Kirchner for the general manager opening.
ESPN's Adam Caplan reported Jan. 12 that the 49ers requested to interview Kirchner and his counterpart, Scott Fitterer.
49ers Closing In on Hire
Monday, Jan. 16
Alex Marvez of Sporting News reported the 49ers are "honing in" on a general manager hiring, adding that finalists will be interviewed this week.
Riddick Meets with 49ers
Tuesday, Jan. 10
The 49ers are interviewing ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, per Maiocco.
On Jan. 7, Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole reported Riddick and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels may be linked and noted the pair may head to San Francisco together.
On Jan. 3, Schefter, citing sources, reported Riddick would interview this week.
Colts VP Meets with 49ers
Sunday, Jan. 8
Joe Fann of the 49ers' official website announced the team interviewed Jimmy Raye III, the Indianapolis Colts' vice president of football operations, on Jan. 8.
Caserio Reportedly Not Interested in 49ers
Saturday, Jan. 7
Pro Football Talk reported Nick Caserio, the New England Patriots' director of player personnel, wasn't interested in interviewing with the 49ers (via Inman).
On Jan. 2, Schefter identified Caserio as a candidate the 49ers requested to interview.
Beane to Interview for GM Vacancy
Thursday, Jan. 5
Carolina Panthers assistant general manager Brandon Beane will meet with the 49ers next week regarding the open GM position, according to Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com.
Ballard to Remain with Chiefs
Monday, Jan. 2
Chris Ballard, the Chiefs' director of player personnel, will remain with Kansas City, according to Rapoport. He added that Ballard had no plans to interview with any other team, as he "loves" his current situation in Kansas City.
Previously on Jan. 2, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reported the 49ers had set up an interview with Ballard.
Ballard has served as the team's director of player personnel since 2013. He's worked under general manager John Dorsey to construct a roster that has pulled off four straight winning seasons and three playoff appearances, including an AFC West title in 2016.
49ers' GM Wish List Revealed
Monday, Jan. 2
Maiocco added that Caserio, Riddick and Paton are names of interest.
Caserio, 41, has been with the Patriots organization since 2001. He's worked on the coaching and personnel side, serving in his current position for the last nine seasons. Head coach Bill Belichick has counted on him as a right-hand man, particularly when it comes to drafting and signing players in free agency. Caserio also has experience as a scout.
Belichick said in November he would recommend Caserio for a general manager position, saying he does a tremendous job in New England.
Lynch Has Uphill Battle to Turn Around Lowly 49ers
The 49ers are moving on from Baalke after six seasons—arguably a couple of years after they should have. Baalke and former head coach Jim Harbaugh infamously feuded, leading to the latter's departure for the University of Michigan. Harbaugh has gone on to quickly rebuild the Wolverines into a national power, while the 49ers have descended into obscurity.
San Francisco is 7-26 since Harbaugh's departure, including a 2-14 mark in 2016.
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