“They traded up to get Mac Jones”: Former GM Michael Lombardi believes outside criticism was the reason behind the 49ers not drafting Mac Jones

Arth Chandra | 05/05/2021
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The San Francisco 49ers were on everybody’s mind entering the 2021 NFL draft. For the majority of the pre-draft process, QB Mac Jones was considered the favorite to be drafted 3rd overall by the 49ers. But San Francisco chose to go with NDSU Qb Trey Lance. And Michael Lombardi had an interesting take behind that pick. 

The San Francisco 49ers traded up a major haul to draft their QB of the future. And while the majority of the speculation was that Alabama QB Mac Jones will be the one, the 49ers surprised many. Mac Jones had an excellent 2020 season, where he led the Crimson Tide to the National Title.

HC Kyle Shanahan revealed recently that Trey Lance’s tape had him enamored. And GM John Lynch revealed that Trey Lance was always meant to be the player that they traded up for. However, Michael Lombardi isn’t buying it.

Michael Lombardi believes the 49ers caved into the outside pressure.

Michael Lombardi has been a part of the NFL fraternity since 1984. And he was also the GM for the Cleveland Browns between 2013-2014.

The former NFL GM believes Shanahan and the 49ers preferred Jones. When the Jones rumors accelerated, the overall fan reaction was extremely negative so Lombardi believes Shanahan and Lynch felt the outside pressure and went with Lance instead of Jones.

“I’m not buying it was Trey Lance all along,” Lombardi told Jason McIntyre on Monday via FOX Sports Radio. “Anybody you talk to in the NFL that has sources – they aren’t buying that either. [SF] can say it was Trey all along – that’s a crock of crap. They traded up to get Mac Jones and the outside pressure became really bad.”

Michael Lombardi’s may just be as funny as his GM career. If the 49ers really cared about public perception surrounding the quarterback position, they would’ve moved on from Jimmy Garoppolo a long time ago. NFL draft analyst Benjamin Albright quickly shut down the take.

Regardless of who the 49ers wanted, Trey Lance is still a stud and will fit in perfectly in Shanahan’s QB-friendly system. If Trey Lance does end up playing in his rookie year, his debut will be highly anticipated.

Also read: “I was just so excited and intrigued by the stuff you could do with him”: Kyle Shanahan details the process of drafting Trey Lance

Post Edited By: Jatin Hasija
Mac Jones Michael Lombardi San Francisco 49ers Trey Lance

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Arth Chandra

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