Latest news with #JohnLynch
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Keenan Allen joining the 49ers makes almost too much sense
With training camp underway, the pool of available free agents has been thoroughly picked through by teams around the NFL. Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen still remains unsigned, and could be a great fit with the San Francisco 49ers in a questionable wide receiver room. At 33 years old, Allen is definitely in the back half of his career, but still has a lot to offer for whatever team offers him a contract. The wideout has been patiently waiting for the right opportunity to arise, weighing all of his options. Of the multiple teams interested in Allen, the 49ers make a ton of sense, for a multitude of reasons. With a mostly unproven and banged-up wide receiver core, general manager John Lynch has to be thinking about bringing in a veteran presence for some stability. Allen showed he's still got plenty of juice left in the tank in 2024, finishing his 12th NFL season with 70 receptions for 744 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns for the Chicago Bears. The veteran utilized his polished route running to continue to generate separation on the outside, something that San Francisco could definitely benefit from having. Spending last season in Chicago was the first time Allen played a season of football outside of the state of California since high school. The former California Golden Bear could look to head back to the West Coast in 2025, this time residing in the Bay Area. Playing time may be easy to come by with the 49ers for Allen, who could replace the production missing from Brandon Aiyuk and potentially Jauan Jennings, if his injuries or contract disputes continue to linger. After locking up Brock Purdy long-term earlier this offseason, having proven pass catchers surrounding him should be a priority. With Allen's impressive resume and experience, he would most likely help the young quarterback and any young pass catchers with their development. San Francisco made a similar addition a few years ago, bringing Emmanuel Sanders in for his age-32 season back in 2019. Lynch could see this situation as a familiar one, hoping that Allen can similarly bring a new skillset to his offense.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Potential starter's injury shouldn't hinder key training camp battle for 49ers
It sounds like one of the San Francisco 49ers key training camp battles is back on as expected. General manager John Lynch on Tuesday in a press conference told reporters offensive lineman Ben Bartch, who was placed on the Non-Football Injury list, isn't expected to miss much time while he works through a quad injury he suffered during an offseason workout away from the team. This is significant since Bartch is the likely frontrunner for the starting left guard job that was vacated by Aaron Banks when he left for the Green Bay Packers in free agency. We laid out how a major injury for Bartch would throw the 49ers' battle for the starting LG job into flux since the club is likely relying on him to win that spot. Other options include former starting right guard Spencer Burford and 2022 sixth-round pick Nick Zakelj. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday confirmed there would be a battle involving Bartch and that duo. 'He is right there competing with guys. Him and Zakelj," Shanahan said. "We all know Burford can do that. He's done it before. We're starting him out working to try to get that swing tackle spot. We also know he can hop right in at guard and play because he started there for us in our '23 season with (Jon) Feliciano. You know, we had Bartch and Zakelj competing through OTAs, but like I'll say since 2018, probably '19, what is OTAs when it comes to O-Linemen and stuff. You know, we have to actually go out there and do more football. But he's in the competition, he's in the mix.' Zakelj, Burford or some combination of the two will likely get the first-team reps while Bartch is on the sidelines, but once he returns from what appears to be a minor quad injury, Bartch should step back into the inside track for the starting LG job. 49ers veterans reported to camp Tuesday, and their first practice is scheduled for article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers injury updates: Ben Bartch should be in for training camp battle
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
49ers defense could have 8 starting jobs up for grabs as training camp begins
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Summer fun is over for the San Francisco 49ers. An extremely well-tanned Kyle Shanahan took the stage Tuesday, along with general manager John Lynch, and said it's open season on starting jobs for the new-look 49ers. 'We're going to really grind for the next five weeks,' the 49ers coach said, 'before we settle on this team. I think we have as much position spots open on the 53-man roster as we've had since 2018. Advertisement 'It's time to go to work.' It was not only a long offseason — the first time the 49ers didn't make the NFC Championship Game, let alone the playoffs, in four years — but an emotional one. Fans and league experts cried about the roster purge — with many key players leaving, including Deebo Samuel and Dre Greenlaw — before they saw the 49ers lock up their core players, add others and address their defensive holes in the draft. Everyone has exhaled now, and with the first camp practice on Wednesday, Shanahan is not only excited about his defensive leaders but also the chance to have six to eight new starters on that side of the ball. 'There's not many people in this league better than Fred Warner and better than Nick (Bosa),' Shanahan said. 'I love what (Deommodore Lenoir's) done here these last few years and the vet he's become. But, yeah, there's a chance we could have six new guys starting. There's a chance we could have eight. 'That is a different team … and, so, that does take some time. That's why I'm so excited to get started with camp so we can start working.' Shanahan on 'taking lumps' with younger players. #49ers — Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) July 22, 2025 There also will be battles on offense, where a healthy Christian McCaffrey is expected to lead the rushing attack, but offensive line and receiver are less settled. New $265 million man and team leader Brock Purdy — who will be throwing to some new faces in a depleted receiving corps — is fired up about all the competition for jobs at camp. 'I think it could be a really good thing,' Purdy said. 'When you got young guys (who) come in, new guys come in, obviously, there's positions that are open for someone to go and take. And it's not easy. It's the NFL. You have to go out and earn it every single day, every single meeting, moment, you name it. Advertisement 'But I think more than anything, this is just going to get us ready for the fire that we're about to encounter when it comes to the season. You want to have guys that are battle-tested and they've been through the moments and high-pressured situations. You want a guy that you can rely on. And so I think this is a good time for all these young guys to compete, and we'll see who takes the next step and can separate themselves.' All eyes will be on the 11 draft picks, as the first five could very well be starting on defense at some point this season. Shanahan said he 'hopes we are' dependent on the rookies this season, but added the second-year guys have an equal-sized load to carry. If not bigger. 'Guys that came in here and did a hell of a job in their first year,' Shanahan said, 'guys like Renardo (Green), guys like Ricky (Pearsall), (Isaac) Guerendo. You've got (Malik) Mustapha, who will be back sometime during the season, but it's huge for those guys to take a second step. 'I mean, you talk about the sophomore slump a lot, and we're not in a position that we can afford that.' Oh, yeah, and no third-year slump as well, thanks. 'Guys like Dee Winters and stuff,' Shanahan said. 'He got some playing time a little bit more last year, and he can't take a step back. … It's the cliche thing, but you're getting better or worse. You're not staying the same. And I want to make sure I'm getting better. I want to make sure every player on our team's getting better.' Even if you're 37 years old. Trent Williams, arguably the best left tackle in the game, is still working hard and is a great example for all of the younger players. 'I just saw a real cool video that Trent sent to our strength coach today,' Shanahan said, smiling. 'He can still vertical jump more than any man I've ever seen his size. So that was cool to watch. But I'm more excited to see the videos of them with some pads on playing football.' Advertisement That will come starting on the fourth day of camp. The youth-infused energy level is high, as the 49ers seem prepared to work hard at camp and ensure a return to the playoffs this season. 'We have a tremendous core of players and they have to decide what they want this team to be,' Lynch said. 'And a lot of things have to fall in place. … The tone is that you've got to go earn it, and I know we have some very motivated players to do just that.' (Photo of Nick Bosa: D. Ross Cameron / Imagn Images)
Al Arabiya
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
49ers receiver Jauan Jennings reports to training camp seeking a new contract
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – Jauan Jennings reported to training camp for the San Francisco 49ers as he seeks a new contract, and the team expects him to be on the field when practice begins on Wednesday. General manager John Lynch said Tuesday that Jennings passed a physical when he reported for camp this week. 'I anticipate him being out there,' Lynch said. 'You guys know our feelings on JJ. He embodies what we think a Niner is all about. He plays the right way, and we love him. We're not going to get into the contract talks and all that. That takes care of itself. We love him, and he's here.' Coach Kyle Shanahan said Jennings hasn't formally requested a trade. Jennings is entering the final season of a two-year, 15.4 million dollar contract and is seeking a long-term extension before the season. Shanahan said he would like to be able to reach an extension with both Jennings and right tackle Colton McKivitz before the season. 'The way they feel about us is the same way we feel about them,' Shanahan said. 'That's the easy part. The hard part is the business side.' The Niners were hoping to avoid the contract distractions this summer after dealing with disputes with Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams the past two seasons that kept all of them out of training camp practices. They reached extensions early in the offseason with stars Brock Purdy, Fred Warner, and George Kittle but now have a potential issue with Jennings. The 2020 seventh-round pick has emerged as one of Purdy's most trusted options at wide receiver after having 77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns last season. With Deebo Samuel having been traded to Washington in March and Aiyuk working back from a knee injury, Jennings has a big role this season. 'It's extremely important obviously,' Purdy said about having Jennings at practice. 'I love JJ and what he brings to our team. Obviously, we've had so much success together and anytime you see something like this going on as a player, let's figure out something so we can get back on the field.' Injury updates The Niners have several players starting camp in injury lists with the only expected long-term absences coming from players dealing with ACL injuries: Aiyuk, safety Malik Mustapha, linebacker Curtis Robinson, and rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Lynch said those players will likely start the season on injured lists but is hopeful they can return some time during the first half of the season. Receiver Ricky Pearsall, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, and offensive lineman Andre Dillard all will start camp on the physically unable to perform list but are expected back on the field soon. Ben Bartch, who is in the mix to start at left guard, will also miss at least the first three days of camp on the non-football injury list after injuring his quadriceps working out on his own. Running back Christian McCaffrey and Williams are both here and healthy, Shanahan said, but their work loads will be managed through camp after dealing with injuries last season. Roster move With questions at receiver, the Niners signed Equanimeous St. Brown to add depth at the position following a tryout on Monday that featured six receivers. St. Brown, the brother of Detroit star Amon-Ra St. Brown, has 63 catches for 928 yards in 62 career games for Green Bay, Chicago, and New Orleans.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers receiver Jauan Jennings reports to training camp seeking a new contract
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jauan Jennings reported to training camp for the San Francisco 49ers as he seeks a new contract and the team expects him to be on the field when practice begins on Wednesday. General manager John Lynch said Tuesday that Jennings passed a physical when he reported for camp this week. Advertisement 'I anticipate him being out there,' Lynch said. 'You guys know our feelings on JJ. He embodies what we think a Niner is all about. He plays the right way and we love him. We're not going to get into the contract talks and all that. That takes care of itself. We love him and he's here.' Coach Kyle Shanahan said Jennings hasn't formally requested a trade. Jennings is entering the final season of a two-year, $15.4 million contract and is seeking a long-term extension before the season. Shanahan said he would like to be able to reach an extension with both Jennings and right tackle Colton McKivitz before the season. 'The way they feel about us is the same way we feel about them,' Shanahan said. 'That's the easy part. The hard part is the business side.' Advertisement The Niners were hoping to avoid the contract distractions this summer after dealing with disputes with Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams the past two seasons that kept all of them out of training camp practices. They reached extensions early in the offseason with stars Brock Purdy, Fred Warner and George Kittle, but now have a potential issue with Jennings. The 2020 seventh-round pick has emerged as one of Purdy's most trusted options at wide receiver after having 77 catches for 975 yards and six TDs last season. With Deebo Samuel having been traded to Washington in March and Aiyuk working back from a knee injury, Jennings has a big role this season. 'It's extremely important obviously,' Purdy said about having Jennings at practice. 'I love JJ and what he brings to our team. Obviously we've had so much success together and anytime you see something like this going on, as a player let's figure out something so we can get back on the field.' Advertisement Injury updates The Niners have several players starting camp in injury lists with the only expected long-term absences coming from players dealing with ACL injuries: Aiyuk, safety Malik Mustapha, linebacker Curtis Robinson and rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke. Lynch said those players will likely start the season on injured lists but is hopeful they can return some time during the first half of the season. Receiver Ricky Pearsall, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and offensive lineman Andre Dillard all will start camp on the physically unable to perform list but are expected back on the field soon. Advertisement Ben Bartch, who is in the mix to start at left guard, will also miss at least the first three days of camp on the non-football injury list after injuring his quadriceps working out on his own. Running back Christian McCaffrey and Williams are both 'here and healthy,' Shanahan said, but their work loads will be managed through camp after dealing with injuries last season. Roster move With questions at receiver, the Niners signed Equanimeous St. Brown to add depth at the position following a tryout on Monday that featured six receivers. St. Brown, the brother of Detroit star Amon-Ra St. Brown, has 63 catches for 928 yards in 62 career games for Green Bay, Chicago and New Orleans. ___ AP NFL:
