NFC Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

49ers’ CEO Jed York refuted any reports suggesting dysfunction within the front office between GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan. 

“I’ve seen dysfunction before, and I know what it looks like when two people are not on the same page,” said York, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “These guys were working toward getting to the right answer.”

York added that it was a joint decision between Shanahan and Lynch to draft Trey Lance at No. 3 overall. 

“They came to their own decision jointly,” York said. “But as much jointly, independently of trying to get to the right answer of why they wanted to draft. I knew they would get there.”

As for the situation with Jimmy Garoppolo, York said their staff approached Garoppolo about the direction they were headed in the 2021 NFL Draft.

“It could be a very sensitive situation, but I think we handled it differently than most other teams would, where we talked to our starting quarterback and let him know that we’re going to do this upfront,” York said. “It’s not an easy conversation. It’s not a fun conversation. But I think those guys are always honest and always direct and I believe we will always have a chance to compete with those guys being here and being on the same page.”

Cardinals

• According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Cardinals and Saints had a deal in place that would have allowed New Orleans to jump ahead in the draft and select Alabama QB Mac Jones if the Patriots passed on him at pick No. 15. The Patriots reportedly would have taken LB Zaven Collins if they did not select Jones with the pick.

Seahawks

Despite his success last season, it remains to be seen if the Seahawks will start CB D.J. Reed, as the team prefers taller cornerbacks. However, HC Pete Carroll mentioned that QB Russell Wilson also had his doubters due to his short stature.

“Just like Russell (Wilson) helped some other quarterbacks, D.J. will help some other cornerbacks,” Carroll said, via John Boyle of Seahawks.com. “But do you want two guys who are 5-9 out there playing?”

Boyle sees cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon, Tre Flowers, and CB Tre Brown will all compete for starting jobs.

Boyle also notes that fans who are critical of the team not adding a lineman should not underestimate the trade for G Gabe Jackson or the team’s draft selection of WR D’Wayne Eskridge, as both players should provide a strong addition to Seattle’s offense.