The internet reacts: 49ers hire John Lynch over Cardinals’ Terry McDonough

When news leaked Sunday night that Cardinals front office executive Terry McDonough wouldn’t become the next San Francisco 49ers general manager, there wasn’t exactly surprise.

He was just one finalist with the other, the Vikings’ George Paton, being a well-respected peer likewise looking to take the next step up the NFL ladder.

Except instead of handing it to another competitive candidate, the 49ers surprised. They hired former NFL safety John Lynch, who doesn’t have much of a front office resume at all. Indeed, he is apparently going to bring in more experienced staffers to help him out … but the damage was already done.

San Francisco isn’t exactly known for making great decisions over the last few years, and CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco laid it on the 49ers.

The NFL reporter wondered aloud how McDonough could be passed over in favor of somebody with no experience. Lynch’s latest job was as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports.

Why the hell didn’t the 49ers just hire Terry McDonough? John Lynch?

— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) January 30, 2017

Terry McDonough has been a grinder for years. Deserved a chance to be the 49ers GM. Makes no sense.

— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) January 30, 2017

That was a harsh assessment.

The rest of the internet responded to the head-scratching move as well. Generally, fans outside of Arizona — where it’s assumed McDonough will be welcomed back — found a humorous way to let the news digest.

Lynch’s Wikipedia page got a few timely edits as well.

My reaction to John Lynch's hiring. pic.twitter.com/HlTcuIfu8S

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) January 30, 2017

"Just what they need, another safety who can't cover."

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 30, 2017

"You interview three media guys and wonder why no real football people want your job"

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 30, 2017

"The Browns are laughing at the 49ers right now"

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 30, 2017

Wikipedia already making jokes about the #Niners John Lynch hire, saying his first move as GM was signing Mike Alstott as a player-coach. pic.twitter.com/GzSOKSXwjw

— Aaron Levine (@AaronQ13Fox) January 30, 2017

John Lynch hiring, the gif: pic.twitter.com/erI8T40Nax

— Mack Wright (@mackdubya) January 30, 2017

The 49ers gave John Lynch a six-year deal?! pic.twitter.com/TXsjKbrG1P

— Erick Fernandez (@ErickFernandez) January 30, 2017

The 49ers are hiring John Lynch as GM?!?! pic.twitter.com/QlqWDLHlai

— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) January 30, 2017

John Lynch? Hey, the last time the #49ers hired a #Stanford guy it worked out pretty well until "mutually agreeing to part ways"…

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) January 30, 2017

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