NFL news: John Lynch rejects substation theory, claims San Francisco 49ers are in a ‘safe place’
After the San Francisco 49ers’ season ended, general manager John Lynch made it his mission to investigate all possibilities that could have contributed to the team's long list of injuries during the 2025 campaign.
The main theory that gained traction online was that an electrical substation located next to the training facilities was affecting the players and contributing to the injury crisis.
Lynch ruled out the substation theory at the NFL’s annual meeting on Sunday and outlined steps he plans to take to reduce injuries in the future.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi rounds up the GM’s comments.
Lynch dismisses substation fears
“It basically was a big nothing burger,” Lynch said of the substation theory.
“We’re in a safe place of work. It’s a normal place of work. It’s a normal gym.
“We are safe, we’re healthy, and we feel really good about that.”
On the investigation, he added: “That was important to us – not just to turn a blind eye, but to look into it because it’s our players’ wellness.”
Striving to get better
After finding out the substation wasn’t problematic, Lynch was relieved.
“I felt like it would be that way, but it’s encouraging that it came out in a good place,” he admitted.
“When you have a year like we did, you’re always looking, you’re never staying the same.
“You’re getting better or you’re getting worse.
“And sometimes those years just happen, but then the report card thing – we think we have really good people, but again, you can’t just say: ‘Well, we have good people.’”
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Prioritising player wellness, support
Lynch continued: “Obviously, the players in that report, a lot of it goes with the facilities. I think the modern-day athlete wants more one-on-one attention.
“And so that’s something throughout the surveys when we dug deeper, I think it was not enough personnel.
“Now we were well staffed, but we weren’t at the top of the league. Now we’ll be up there.
“That’s of the utmost importance – the health and safety of our players, the performance of our players.”
“We’re putting everything into that.”
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