John Lynch

One of the most respected players to ever play the game of football, and a seven-time finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, John Lynch is in his fourth season as the team's General Manager following a 15-year playing career and more than eight seasons as an NFL analyst. In August of 2020, Lynch signed a multi-year contract extension with the 49ers.

Since coming to San Francisco, Lynch has been vigilant in seeking and acquiring the players that embody the team's culture on the field and in the community. While working hand-in-hand with head coach Kyle Shanahan and the coaching staff, Lynch and his personnel staff continue to add players through all available avenues. Following a 13-3 regular season record and a trip to Super Bowl LIV, Lynch was named the 2019 Executive of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

San Francisco started the 2020 offseason by re-signing two key pieces of their defense, DL Arik Armstead and DB Jimmie Ward. Lynch and his staff then addressed the departures of key veterans, with the selection of first-round draft choices, DT Javon Kinlaw and WR Brandon Aiyuk, and the acquisition of All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection, T Trent Williams, in a draft-day trade with Washington.

Following the 2018 season, Lynch continued to improve the 49ers roster through trades, free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft. The offseason started with the 49ers acquiring DL Dee Ford via trade and signing him to a five-year contract followed by the signing of free agent LB Kwon Alexander. The 49ers added eight players to the roster during the 2019 NFL Draft, including DL Nick Bosa with the second overall selection, who went on to be named the 2019 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Lynch continued to add to the roster during the season as the 49ers acquired WR Emmanuel Sanders via trade, a move that proved integral to the team winning the NFC Championship.

In 2018, Lynch bolstered the 49ers offensive line with the additions of C Weston Richburg through free agency and T Mike McGlinchey in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Richburg went on to start 15 games at center while McGlinchey started all 16 games at right tackle and earned All-Rookie Team honors from the Pro Football Writers of America and ESPN. The team also added free agent CB Richard Sherman who went on to earn his fifth AP All-Pro selection in 2019 with the 49ers.

In his first season with San Francisco, Lynch brought in several key players through free agency, including K Robbie Gould and FB Kyle Juszczyk, who impacted the team immediately. Gould led the NFL with a career-high 39 made field goals and a career-high 145 points and Juszczyk was selected to the Pro Bowl. That year's NFL Draft saw San Francisco select TE George Kittle in the fifth round, as Kittle has since earned First-Team All-Pro honors (2019), been selected to two Pro Bowls (2019-20) and set the NFL record for the most receiving yards by a tight end with 1,377 in 2018.

Lynch was also responsible for acquiring G Laken Tomlinson and QB Jimmy Garoppolo in trades. Tomlinson was acquired on August 31, 2017 and started the final 15 games of the season at left guard. He was rewarded with a three-year contract extension through the 2021 season on June 22, 2018. Garoppolo, who was traded to San Francisco on October 30, 2017, started the final five games of the season and posted a 5-0 record while setting the franchise record for most passing yards in the first five starts with the team (1,542 yards). On February 8, 2018, Garoppolo signed a five-year contract extension through the 2022 season and is now 19-5 in the regular season (2-1 in the postseason) as the 49ers starting quarterback.

Lynch joined the 49ers in February of 2017 after serving as a color analyst for FOX Sports from 2009-16. In his final season of 2016 with FOX, he manned the number two broadcast crew alongside play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt.

Prior to his time at FOX, Lynch constructed one of the all-time great NFL careers while with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1993-2003) and the Denver Broncos (2004-07). A four-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, he played in 224 games (191 starts) and registered 1,277 tackles, 13.0 sacks, 26 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and 100 passes defensed. Lynch also started all 12 playoff games in which he appeared and tallied 71 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes defensed. He was a Buccaneers team captain as the squad achieved the crown jewel of team sports, a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII, and has been inducted into the Ring of Honor in both Tampa Bay and Denver.

Lynch attended Stanford University where he excelled in both football and baseball. On the football field, he earned Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Pac-10 Conference honors as a senior, while playing for Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh. Lynch was later selected in the third round (82nd overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay. Following his career on the diamond for the Cardinal, he was selected in the second round (66th overall) of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins.

In addition to his stellar play on the field, Lynch is also a pillar of the community. He and his wife, Linda, formed the John Lynch Foundation, which is committed to inspiring young people to become leaders through scholarship, sport participation and community involvement. The Foundation is committed to developing leaders by encouraging dreams, providing programs that assist and motivate, and recognizing achievement and excellence.

Lynch was the recipient of the 2006 Bart Starr Award, which is voted upon by players throughout the NFL and recognizes a player who shows outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. He was also presented with The Byron "Whizzer" White Award, which is given annually to the NFL player who serves his team, community and country in the spirit of Bryon Raymond White. In 2019, Lynch received the prestigious Wender Weis Change Maker Award, which is given annually to a current or former professional athlete who has used their sports platform to improve the lives of underserved youth. Additionally, Lynch was the 2019

recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Positive Coaching Alliance and the Ireland Funds 2020 Distinguished Leadership Award recipient.

John and his wife, Linda, have four children – Jake, Lindsay, Lilly and Leah.