Just before the NFL trade deadline, the 49ers added star punter Chase Young to the defensive line, and for general manager John Lynch, it was the best move the team could have made.
“I’m glad we did the Chase for the right reasons, not just because we felt like we had to do something,” Lynch said via conference call Tuesday morning.
“I believe wholeheartedly that all the answers are right here in this building.
“We didn’t need to do that, we just saw an opportunity and we felt like we could stay true to who we wanted to be, in terms of building throughout the draft, while also adding one more player who we feel can help us the rest of this year.
The 49ers built their team from the ground up by selecting three defensive linemen in the first round and one at second in the last seven NFL Drafts (2017 – Solomon Thomas, 2019 – Nick Bosa, 2020 – Javon Kinlaw, 2nd round 2022- Drake Jackson).
Through eight games, the group previously led the NFL in passing Quarterbacks only recorded 15 sacks, which tied them for 19th in the league (three went to linebackers Fred Warner (2) and Dr. Greenlaw).
Lynch believes they have the players in the locker room to get the job done, but he also knows that getting Young into the building is an opportunity they can’t pass up.
“We don’t necessarily feel like we have to do anything,” Lynch said.
“We will not be reactionary in our recent series.
We always think that if the right thing happens, then in the end we think it’s something that will really benefit us.
» However, the numbers do not lie.
The 49ers have lost three straight games while allowing more than 400 yards of offense in the past two games and 300 yards or more in three more.
If the club wants to keep their postseason dreams alive, they need to stop the bleeding.
“We’ve put a lot of resources there,” Lynch said.
“Those guys need to be not just good, they need to be really good and dominate and I feel like it’s on its way.
We need to do that and that takes everybody.
” The club previously added defensive tackle Javon Hargrave during the offseason and pass rusher Randy Gregory at the beginning of October but the group has still not been affecting the games enough to tip the scales.
Lynch remains steadfast that they have the personnel already in the building to get back to their winning ways, but there needs to be significant self-evaluation throughout the building during the club’s week off.
“I feel like it’s the best deal possible,” Lynch said.
“We had a number of conversations and we always felt that everything should start from scratch and this is the deal that makes the most sense for us.
