Santa Clara – General manager John Lynch got himself in trouble on KNBR shortly after swinging the deal for former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Lynch implied that Garopplo could be a trading chip.
Lynch, the former safety, was in a serious backpedal on Tuesday about that comment.
“I shouldn’t be inexperienced in that facet seeing as I came from the media world and all that. But that probably was a stupid thing to say,” Lynch said Tuesday afternoon when he met with the team’s beat writers.
“That is not what we think. We really genuinely believe this guy has the makings of a guy who could be our guy for years to come. That’s all got to come to fruition on the field. That was kind of a throw away line that got a lot of attention.”
Lynch appeared even more convinced after watching Garoppolo as the team’s future in practice and around the facility. Lynch said he’s been impressed with Garoppolo’s work ethic, intangibles and talent. He said he has liked what he’s seen from Garoppolo’s passing in practice.
However, he wouldn’t speculate on when Garoppolo would play, saying that was coach Kyle Shanahan’s decision. Lynch also said the team wouldn’t play Garoppolo until he’s ready.