General manager John Lynch tweeted Saturday night that the 49ers could be closing in on a deal with pending free agent Kyle Juszczyk.
Attempting to decode tweets is nothing new to modern-day NFL free agency.
But 49ers fans probably didn’t expect to crack late-night codes from their general manager.
John Lynch tweeted out a teaser Saturday night, intimating that fullback Kyle Juszczyk was on the verge of re-signing rather than hitting the free agency market Monday.
“I’m thirsty. Niners fans, you want some ‘Juice?’ ” Lynch tweeted at 9:45 p.m.
Juice, as in Juszczyk’s nickname, not that of a running back the 49ers’ traded for 43 years ago (San Francisco native O.J. Simpson).
I’m thirsty. Niners fans, you want some “Juice?”
— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) March 14, 2021
Juszczyk is one of 29 unrestricted free agents from the 49ers. Negotiations can begin with other clubs Monday, and players can’t sign elsewhere until Wednesday.
Some 12 hours after Lynch’s tweet, Juszczyk remained unsigned, though multiple reports indicated that talks would continue Sunday toward a likely deal. Juszczyk’s agent did not return a message from this news organization seeking comment.
“I would like juice, too. But it’s expensive at this time of year,” Linta told ESPN’s Adam Schefter in response to Lynch’s tweet.
Lynch wasn’t the only team official to send out a cryptic tweet Saturday night.
Jed York, the 49ers’ CEO, affectionately tweeted about his inner circle at 10:10 p.m.: “I’m the luckiest man in the world. My wife @IamDaniellems our coach #Kyle our GM @JohnLynch49ers Love my life and those I share it with.”
And for those cybersleuths wondering if passwords had been hacked or if 49ers’ legends were having a clandestine summit, former left tackle Joe Staley wandered into 49ers Twittersphere.
Staley, 11 months into retirement, tweeted about what a great night he was having, and, to really incite speculation, he invoked what a “great song” Spotlight is by Gucci Mane, which includes the lyric, “It feels great to be back.” Those tweets were then deleted.
t Staley was “just stirring the pot” and having fun, he said Sunday via text message. He added that he’s out of the loop on the 49ers’ free agency plans, among which their top priorities is to re-sign Staley’s successor, Trent Williams.
Joe Staley just deleted all his tweets from tonight. #49ers fans, just speculating but it looks like he may have let something out of the bag
Or
Staley’s just messing with us pic.twitter.com/FwIvAxdQaO
— Sterling Bennett (@49ers_Access) March 14, 2021
