“That typically happens with really good players,” Lynch said, via SI.com. “I remember two years ago having similar conversations. You get calls and you always listen to calls. Since (head coach) Kyle (Shanahan) and I have been here, we’ve been the No. 2 cash-spending team. In the last four years, we’re the fourth-highest cash-spending team. So at some point, you have to reset a little bit, or at least recalibrate. You can’t just keep pressing the pedal.
“I think there’s some good that can come out of that. We need to get younger. I think we’re the oldest team in football after trying to make a run last year. I think it’s good to constantly get younger. Our draft class last year was a great move toward that. We’ll have four picks in the top 100. If the comp picks happen like we see it, we’ll have 10 picks overall. We’re excited about adding more youth to the great core of players we already have.”
Rapoport adds that those factors of San Francisco wanting to get younger and the team’s spending make Aiyuk’s situation one to keep an eye on.
During that same news conference, Lynch revealed that the club will “honor” Samuel’s trade request while also confirming that extension talks with quarterback Brock Purdy are underway.
