49ers’ John Lynch talks Titans hiring Ran Carthon as GM
If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about new Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon, it’s San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch.
Lynch and Carthon both joined the Niners in 2017, with Lynch taking the general manager job and hiring Carthon as the team’s director of pro personnel.
Lynch says that Carthon quickly became more than the talent evaluation specialist he had been looking for after he was hired.
“When you are looking for someone in that role, first and foremost, you are not trying to get a future GM — you are trying to get a really good evaluator of talent in our league,” Lynch said, per Jim Wyatt of Titans Online. “When I hired Ran, that’s what we were looking for, and he has been that, and he has that skill.
“It’s just that in the process we discovered there’s a lot more to Ran. And, that’s why he worked his way up through our organization and that’s why he has earned this opportunity right now.”
Carthon, who had been with the Niners in his original role for four years was promoted to director in 2021. Last offseason, he was close to another promotion. The New York Giants were interested in Carthon’s services as their general manager.
Lynch talked about Carthon’s impressions in those interviews as well as Lynch’s fit with Titans head Coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel will likely have a greater say in decision-making.
“Last year I heard from a lot of people that he interviewed with, how well he did. He is very qualified, and I think he’ll be a great partner to Vrabes,” Lynch said. “I know Vrabes well, and that’s such an important relationship — the head coach/GM one. Having each other’s back and having the respect of each other is so critical because you are leading that organization together.”
“I think it’s a great fit with [Ran and Mike], because the first part of any relationship is there is a mutual respect, and I know they’ll have that,” he added. “And I think the loyalty — they are both very loyal people and I think they’ll have each other’s back. And that’s the thing, you’re going to have your hits and you’re going to have your misses but if you stay with it through all of those, you have a chance, and I believe strongly knowing the two of them that they will be a really good fit.
“I am really confident that [the Titans] made a really good decision.”
Carthon’s background is one of his most impressive. He was a former player and coach for the NFL, as well his own experience working as a talent assessor and player. It’s a background that impressed Lynch, also.
“Look at his background, and being around the game because of his father,” Lynch said. “He’s been around it and he played himself at Florida, at a high level. He’s been around great athletes and then goes to Indy – he was around some special people there – Hall of Fame players, a Hall of Fame GM in Bill Polian, coach Tony Dungy, and I know how impactful he can be in his philosophies. Because he was a great scout, people realized he would be a good fit for our company. He was a worker in Atlanta and went to the Rams to help build something. We were lucky enough to have him. His background is very solid and he is well-equipped for the task.
“His background is special, but he just has tremendous people skills – you enjoy being around him. He makes an organization better because of his attributes.”
When it comes to Carthon’s ability to build relationships, something that is important for all general managers, Lynch says the 41-year-old excels in that area as well.
“Ran makes really meaningful relationships,” Lynch revealed. “He’s just an easy person to talk to, and he has an ease to him. He was close to many of our players and a lot our staff. He’s a guy that everybody respects, and he has great wisdom.”
Even before he was hired, Lynch believed Carthon had a really good chance at the Titans job, one that he “really wanted.”
“I sensed [Ran] had a real chance at this thing, and I think Jed sensed that as well,” Lynch said. “[The Titans] were doing their work and he then went back to his second interview. Ran was very passionate about this opportunity when I interviewed him. He loved where he was and knew he could find a good home. [with the 49ers]He wanted it, not a restraining order.
“I was actually in a meeting with Jed when we got the news. Jed was the one who got the news. [49ers EVP of Football Operations[ Paraag Marathe, and [49ers Assistant GM] Ran was delighted when Adam Peters walked in. We told him how happy and proud we were for him. I think he’s going to do great.”
Some might think Lynch is just trying to get one of his guys fired up, but these sentiments Lynch holds about Carthon are shared by many in the league.
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