.jpg) Lynch in 2019 | |||||||||||
| San Francisco 49ers | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | President of football operations &general manager | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born | (1971-09-25)September 25, 1971 (age 54) Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school | Torrey Pines(San Diego, California) | ||||||||||
| College | Stanford (1989–1992) | ||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1993: 3rd round, 82nd overall pick | ||||||||||
| Position | Safety, No. 47 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
Operations | |||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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| Executive profile atPro Football Reference | |||||||||||
John Terrence Lynch Jr. (born September 25, 1971) is an American professionalfootball executive and formersafety who is thegeneral manager of theSan Francisco 49ers of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theStanford Cardinal and was selected by theTampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the1993 NFL draft, later winningSuper Bowl XXXVII with them. Lynch also spent four seasons with theDenver Broncos before retiring in 2008 and working as acolor commentator forNFL on Fox games until being named general manager of the 49ers in 2017. He made ninePro Bowls during his career and was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Lynch was born inHinsdale,Illinois. He attendedTorrey Pines High School in the Carmel Valley/Del Mar area ofSan Diego, California, where he played football, baseball, and basketball.
Lynch starred in baseball and football atStanford University. He began his collegiate football career in 1989 as a quarterback. During fall camp entering his junior season in 1991, Lynch unsuccessfully competed for the starting role atquarterback to returning starterJason Palumbis. During this time, Lynch was a pitcher for Stanford and was performed fairly well. He considered solely focusing on baseball, but chose to request to transition to a defense. He immediately transitioned to free safety and earned the starting role within a three week time period. After two games, Lynch was benched and began focusing solely on baseball.[1] On January 11, 1992, head coachDennis Green was hired as theMinnesota Vikings' head coach.[2] On January 17, 1992, Stanford hiredBill Walsh as their new head coach, succeeding Dennis Green.[3]
Upon his arrival, Walsh began evaluating every player on his roster by viewing tapes from the 1991 season. Although there was little footage on Lynch, Walsh was impressed by his athleticism and promptly approached Lynch to ask him to reconsider his decision to quit playing football.[4][5]
On June 1, 1992, Lynch was solely focused on baseball and did not consider the possibility of ever returning to football after he was selected in the in the second round (66th overall) of the1992 Major League Baseball draft as a right-handedpitcher by theFlorida Marlins. After speaking with Walsh, Lynch accepted his offer to return. With the confidence of head coach Bill Walsh, Lynch had an impressive senior season as the starting free safety for theStanford Cardinal where he recorded 76 combined tackles, four interceptions, and returned one for a 62-yard return touchdown.[6] Throughout his one season under head coach Bill Walsh, Lynch quickly impressed teams and became a top safety prospect for the upcoming 1993 NFL Draft. Stanford achieved a 10–3 record in 1992, marking only the second 10-win season in school history, with a final ranking of #9 and win in theBlockbuster Bowl.[5]
Lynch was drafted as a right-handedpitcher by theFlorida Marlins in the second round (66th overall) of the1992 Major League Baseball draft. He threw the first pitch in the organization's history as a member of theErie Sailors; thus, his jersey with the Sailors is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.[7] Lynch played two seasons in the minor leagues with the Sailors and theKane County Cougars, starting nine games and going 1–3 with a 2.35earned run average.[8]
Although Lynch had only played free safety for one full season and 15 games altogether, he performed impressively enough throughout that single season to be considered one of the top safety prospects eligible for the upcoming 1993 NFL Draft. Teams and draft analysts persistently decided his limited experience was the main concern.[9] Teams were also skeptical of his dedication to football and thought his inclusion in the NFL Draft was possibly just a ploy in an attempt to concern theFlorida Marlins enough increase his salary.
This was a recurring theme for top draft prospects that were also successful in baseball and selected in the MLB draft, including players likeJohn Elway,Deion Sanders, and Bo Jackson. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' ownerHugh Culverhouse vowed to never draft a baseball player again after an alleged scheme angered Bo Jackson enough to refuse to play for them although they drafted him first overall in1986.[9]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft1+1⁄8 in (1.86 m) | 219 lb (99 kg) | 31+3⁄4 in (0.81 m) | 9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) | |||||||||
| All values fromNFL Combine[10] | ||||||||||||
TheTampa Bay Buccaneers selected Lynch in the third round (82nd pick overall) of the1993 NFL draft. Concerns due to his professional baseball career caused teams to pass on Lynch as he remained unselected following the first two rounds. An executive with theGreen Bay Packers placed a phone call to Lynch to gauge his dedication to solely playing football as they were considering drafting him with their first round pick (29th overall). He was asked, "Are you going to give up baseball?" Lynch responded, "Absolutely! If you draft me, I'm playing football and committing to the Green Bay Packers." The Packers selected safetyGeorge Teague in the first round (29th overall) instead of Lynch.[11]
At the start of the third round, Stanford head coachBill Walsh called Buccaneers' head coachSam Wyche, who he coached while Wyche played for theCincinnati Bengals. Walsh backed Lynch by assuring Sam Wyche that Lynch was fully dedicated to playing football. Sam Wyche proceeded to convince Bucs' owner Hugh Culverhouse enough for him to personally call Lynch and decided to give him an opportunity.[9]
On May 15, 1993, theTampa Bay Buccaneers signed Lynch to a two–year, $526,750 rookie contract that included an initialsigning bonus of $250,000.[12]
Lynch began his rookie season as a special teams player. He made his NFL regular-season debut and first NFL start in the season-opener against theKansas City Chiefs and recorded a tackle during their 27–3 loss. On November 14, 1993, Lynch earned his third start of the season, replacingMarty Carter at strong safety.[13] During week 11, Lynch recorded a season-high six combined tackles during a 45–21 loss against theSan Francisco 49ers. He was demoted back to behind the backup strong safety after week 12.
Lynch finished his rookie season with ten combined tackles and two forced fumbles in 15 games and four starts.[14]
Lynch remained as a backup strong safety under head coachSam Wyche in1994.[15] In week 11, he collected a season-high four combined tackles in a 14–9 road loss to theDetroit Lions.[16]
Lynch finished his second professional season with 16 combined tackles in 16 games and no starts.
Lynch competed againstBarney Bussey to be the starting strong safety after it was left vacant by the departure of Marty Carter.[17] Head coach Sam Wyche named Lynch the backup strong safety behind Bussey to begin the regular season. During week 6, Lynch recorded two combined tackles and made his first NFL interception during a 19–16 victory over theCincinnati Bengals in week 6. Lynch made his first career interception off a pass attempt by Bengals quarterbackJeff Blake, that was intended for wide receiverDarnay Scott, in the fourth quarter.[18] In the next game against theMinnesota Vikings, Lynch earned the job as the starting strong safety and had his breakout performance during the 20–17 victory, collecting a season-high 11 combined tackles (six solo), deflecting two passes, and making two interceptions off of Vikings quarterbackWarren Moon. He attributes his performance to knowing Vikings head coachDennis Green's impulses from playing under him atStanford and studying Moon's tendencies.[19] Lynch remained the starting strong safety for the remainder of the season but was inactive for three games (Weeks 12–14) due to an injury.[20] On December 27, 1995, the Buccaneers announced their decision to fire head coachSam Wyche after they finished with a 7–9 record in 1995.[21]
Lynch finished the 1995 season with 38 combined tackles and three interceptions in nine games and six starts.[22][23]
On January 23, 1996, the Buccaneers namedMinnesota Vikings defensive coordinatorTony Dungy to be their new head coach.[24] Dungy and defensive coordinatorMonte Kiffin devised a Cover 2 defense that became known as theTampa 2.[25] Throughout training camp, Lynch competed againstTodd Scott to retain his role as the starting strong safety. Lynch was sidelined for the first two preseason games due to a rib injury. Head coach Tony Dungy named Lynch the backup strong safety, behind Todd Scott, to begin the regular season.[26]
On September 8, 1996, Todd Scott tore hisAchilles tendon and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Lynch subsequently became the starting strong safety and played alongsideMelvin Johnson. In week 8, he collected five combined tackles and made his first NFL sack on quarterbackKent Graham for a five-yard loss in the fourth quarter of a 13–9 road loss to theArizona Cardinals.[27] In the next game, he recorded eight combined tackles and intercepted a pass by Packers quarterbackBrett Favre during a 13–7 road loss to theGreen Bay Packers.[28] During week 13, Lynch recorded four combined tackles, forced a fumble, and an interception during a 13–7 victory over theNew Orleans Saints.[29] He intercepted a pass by Saints quarterbackJim Everett to seal the victory with 4:45 remaining.[26]
Lynch finished the 1996 season with 100 combined tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a sack in 16 games and 14 starts.[30][31]
On September 5, 1997, the Buccaneers signed Lynch to a four-year, $6.8 million contract.[32][33]
Head coach Tony Dungy retained Lynch as the starting strong safety to begin the regular season. He began the season starting alongside free safetyMelvin Johnson. On September 19, 1997, Lynch received a $7,500 fine from the league for an illegal hit on Vikings wide receiverChris Walsh while he was out of bounds. This became his second fine in the first three games as he also received a $5,000 fine for an illegal hit on 49ers running backWilliam Floyd during the season-opener.[34] In week 9, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles as the Buccaneers lost 10–6 against theMinnesota Vikings. He started in all 16 games in1997 and recorded 110 combined tackles, two interceptions, and forced a fumble.[35][36] Lynch was named to the1998 Pro Bowl, marking the firstPro Bowl selection in the first five years of his career.
“He is our equalizer. He's our eighth man in the box against the run. He'll take your head off. Everybody around here respects him for that.”[37]
The Buccaneers finished second in theNFC Central with a 10–6 record and earned a wildcard berth. On December 28, 1997, Lynch started in his first career playoff game and recorded eight combined tackles as the Buccaneers defeated theDetroit Lions by a score of 20–10 in the NFC Wildcard Game. The following week, he made three combined tackles during a 21–7 road loss to theGreen Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round.[36]
In 1998, Lynch started alongside free safetyCharles Mincy and cornerbacksRonde Barber andDonnie Abraham.[38] In week 5, he collected a season-high 13 combined tackles during a 20–3 victory against theNew York Giants. Lynch was inactive for the week 10 loss to theTennessee Oilers due to a neck injury.[39] On December 13, 1998, Lynch recorded three combined tackles and made two interceptions as the Buccaneers defeated thePittsburgh Steelers 16–3. Lynch made both interceptions off of pass attempts by Steelers quarterbackKordell Stewart.[40] In week 16, Lynch made six combined tackles, a season-high two sacks, and forced a fumble during a 20–16 road loss to theWashington Redskins. He sacked Redskins quarterbackTrent Green for a 14-yard loss and forced a fumble that was recovered by teammateSteve White in the first quarter.[41]
Lynch finished the1998 NFL season with 85 combined tackles, two interceptions, two sacks, and a forced fumble in 15 games and starts.[42]
Lynch returned as the starter and played alongside free safetyDamien Robinson in 1999.[43] In week 10, Lynch collected a season-high 12 combined tackles and forced a fumble during a season debut 17–10 win against theKansas City Chiefs. Lynch started in all 16 games in1997 and recorded 116 combined tackles, two interceptions, forced a fumble, and was credited with half a sack.[44] Lynch was named first-teamA.P.All-Pro and was also selected to play in the2000 Pro Bowl.
TheTampa Bay Buccaneers finished atop theNFC Central Division with an 11–5 record and earned a first-round bye. On January 15, 2000, Lynch recorded eight combined tackles and intercepted a pass by Redskins quarterbackBrad Johnson during a 14–13 victory over theWashington Redskins in the NFC Divisional Round. The following week, Lynch recorded three tackles as the Buccaneers lost 11–6 at theSt. Louis Rams in the NFC Championship Game.[45]
On September 11, 2000, the Buccaneers signed Lynch to a six-year, $24 million contract extension that included $5.6 million guaranteed.[46][47][48] Head coach Tony Dungy retained the starting secondary from the previous season, including safeties Lynch and Damien Robinson and cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Donnie Abraham. In week 6, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles during a 30–23 loss at theMinnesota Vikings. Lynch started in all 16 games in2000 and recorded 94 combined tackles, three interceptions, and one sack.[49][50]
Head coach Tony Dungy named Lynch the starting strong safety to begin the sixth consecutive season. He started alongside free safetyDexter Jackson in 2001. During week 5, Lynch collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 31–28 road loss to theTennessee Titans.
Lynch finished the 2001 season with 87 combined tackles (62 solo), four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and starts.[51] On January 2, 2002, it was announced that Lynch was selected to play in the2002 Pro Bowl.[52]
On January 14, 2002, the Buccaneers fired head coach Tony Dungy after they finished third in the NFC Central with a 9–7 record and lost to the Eagles for the second straight year in the playoffs.[53] New head coachJon Gruden retained defensive coordinatorMonte Kiffin and defensive backs coachMike Tomlin. He also retained Lynch and Dexter Jackson as the starting safeties alongside cornerbacks Ronde Barber andBrian Kelly.[54]
During week 7, Lynch collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 20–10 road loss to thePhiladelphia Eagles.[55] In the next game, he recorded three combined tackles, deflected three passes, and made two interceptions in a 12–9 road victory over theCarolina Panthers. Lynch intercepted both passes off Panthers quarterbackRandy Fasani.[56]
Lynch finished the 2002 season with 64 combined tackles (41 solo), five pass deflections, and three interceptions in 15 games and starts.[51] The Buccaneers finished atop theNFC South with a 12–4 record and earned a first-round bye. The Buccaneers defeated theSan Francisco 49ers 31–6 in the NFC Divisional Round. On January 19, 2003, Lynch recorded six solo tackles and broke up a pass during a 27–10 road victory over thePhiladelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. On January 26, 2003, Lynch started inSuper Bowl XXXVII and recorded a tackle and pass deflection during the 48–21 victory over theOakland Raiders.
Head coach Jon Gruden named Lynch the starting strong safety to begin the regular season, alongside free safetyDwight Smith. During week 2, Lynch collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (seven solo) during a 12–9 loss to theCarolina Panthers. He was inactive for two games (Weeks 8–9) due to a shoulder injury.[57] Lynch finished the season with 72 combined tackles (50 solo), six pass deflections, two interceptions, and was credited with half a sack in 14 games and starts.[51]
On March 12, 2004, the Buccaneers released Lynch in a salary cap-related maneuver. He offered to take a significant pay cut to remain with the team, but the offer was rebuffed.[47][58]
On March 22, 2004, theDenver Broncos signed Lynch to a three-year,$9 million contract as an unrestricted free agent.[59][60] He signed a free agent contract with the Broncos despite being courted by the two-time defendingSuper Bowl Champion New England Patriots.[61] Lynch also received an offer from theNew York Jets but opted not to reunite with head coachHerm Edwards who had previously been his defensive backs coach with the Buccaneers.[59]
In the 2005 season, Lynch nearly made his secondSuper Bowl appearance after the Broncos defeated the Patriots in theDivisional Round, but they lost to thePittsburgh Steelers in theAFC Championship Game.
Lynch served as the Broncos' defensive captain in 2006 and 2007. On July 31, 2008, he was granted his release by the Broncos.[62] Lynch said in a news conference that his lack of playing time heading into the 2008 season was a reason for his departure.[63]
Lynch visited with theNew England Patriots on August 13, 2008,[64] then agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.[65] However, on September 1, 2008, he was released.[66]
On November 17, 2008, Lynch announced his retirement from football.[67]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 1993 | TB | 15 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | TB | 16 | 0 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | TB | 9 | 6 | 38 | 27 | 11 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | TB | 16 | 14 | 100 | 71 | 29 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 8.7 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | TB | 16 | 16 | 109 | 74 | 35 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 14.0 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | TB | 15 | 15 | 85 | 50 | 35 | 2.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 14.5 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | TB | 16 | 16 | 117 | 81 | 36 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 28 | 0 | 9 |
| 2000 | TB | 16 | 16 | 85 | 56 | 29 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 43 | 14.3 | 36 | 0 | 8 |
| 2001 | TB | 16 | 16 | 87 | 62 | 25 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 21 | 7.0 | 15 | 0 | 8 |
| 2002 | TB | 15 | 15 | 64 | 41 | 23 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 2003 | TB | 14 | 14 | 72 | 50 | 22 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 9.0 | 18 | 0 | 8 |
| 2004 | DEN | 15 | 15 | 64 | 47 | 17 | 2.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 2005 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 61 | 44 | 17 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 2006 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 84 | 59 | 25 | 0.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2007 | DEN | 13 | 12 | 59 | 46 | 13 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Career[68] | 224 | 191 | 1,051 | 728 | 323 | 13.0 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 204 | 7.8 | 36 | 0 | 68 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | TD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 1997 | TB | 2 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | TB | 2 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2000 | TB | 1 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 | TB | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | TB | 3 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2004 | DEN | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | DEN | 2 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Career[68] | 12 | 12 | 63 | 48 | 15 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 5 | 0 | 9 | |
On November 23, 2008, Lynch joinedNFL on Fox in the broadcasting booth as acolor commentator, and was paired withChris Rose andKevin Burkhardt.
Lynch was officially inducted into the Broncos Ring of Fame on October 23, 2016, in a ceremony at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, joining kickerJason Elam and linebackerSimon Fletcher in the class of 2016.[69] A month later, Lynch was inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor in a ceremony atRaymond James Stadium.[70]
While Kyle Shanahan was still offensive coordinator for theAtlanta Falcons and considering taking the head coaching position for theSan Francisco 49ers, John Lynch contacted Shanahan and asked him to keep him in mind for the general manager position. A short time later, Kyle Shanahan introduced John Lynch toJed York, and he was then hired as the general manager on January 29, 2017.[71][72][73] He was named the 2019 Executive of the Year by thePro Football Writers Association after the 49ers finished atop theNFC West with a 13–3 record.[74][75] Lynch signed a contract extension and was given the additional title of "president of football operations" in September 2023.[76] On August 30, 2024, Lynch was named to theNFL Competition Committee by commissionerRoger Goodell.[77]
Lynch is married to Linda Allred, the older sister of his close friend and former NFLtight endJohn Allred. He and Allred had a run-in during a 1997 NFL game that resulted in Allred almost getting knocked out from a hit.[78] His father,John Lynch Sr., is a retired radio executive inSan Diego, a founder of thesports talk stationXEPRS-AM 1090. His son, Jake, played football atStanford from2018 until2021.[79]
