John Lynch announces 2 promotions, talks Aiyuk extension

The NFL Combine is in full swing in Indianapolis. General manager John Lynch took to the podium Tuesday morning to answer a wide-ranging mess of questions.

There were a few substantive points of discussion worth mentioning, though there is still no news on the defensive coordinator front.

Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings extension talk

The top priority this offseason is dealing with Brandon Aiyuk's contract. Aiyuk is entering a fifth-year option worth $14.1 million and wants an extension after an All-Pro season.

Lynch indicated that the 49ers want to take care of that, pointing towards the team's track record of paying star players.

"We have some challenges," Lynch said. "We have a lot of good players, a lot of good players who we've rewarded. Brandon's one we think incredibly highly of, one of my favorite guys around our building. The way he approaches the game, he's a competitor, he's a warrior."

"He plays with such a physicality, also with a grace, the way some of the positions his body can get into. And then he's got a flair for making plays when it matters most. He's served us very well as a franchise and we've got a nice track record of extending the players that are important to us, and Brandon's a guy we want to keep around for a long time."

That's a pretty strong affirmation of the 49ers' view of Aiyuk. But Jauan Jennings also has a pending contract situation as a restricted free agent.

Lynch indicated to reporters that the 49ers intend to retain Jennings, either via an extension or by utilizing a restricted free agent tender.

This year's restricted free agent tenders are as follows, and allow the 49ers to match other offers, or receive compensation if they decline to match:

First-round tender: $6,822,000
Second-round tender: $4,890,000
Right of first refusal: $2,985,000

Pair of internal promotions

While the search for a defensive coordinator continues, the 49ers have made some front office moves.

Lynch confirmed that that Tariq Ahmad and R.J. Gillen were both promoted to the roles of Directors of Player Personnel. Gillen was the team's director of pro personnel, while Ahmad was the 49ers' director of college scouting.

Both have been spoken of very highly in the past, and with the departure of Adam Peters for the top job for the Commanders, internal promotions were always likely.