San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch was one with the fans on Saturday after his team committed a huge defensive lapse against the Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers trailed the Seahawks 10-3 late in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. The home team looked like it was about get possession back with Seattle facing 3rd-and-17 in their own territory.
Kenneth Walker had other ideas. The Seahawks running back found a razor-thin crease in the 49ers’ defense and sliced through for a first down.
Razzle dazzle from Kenneth Walker to pick up the first down on 3rd & 17!
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026
SEAvsSF on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/KdOGDb2gBK
The defensive lapse had Lynch furious — a moment that the ESPN broadcast captured on camera. Lip readers could understand that the audio was not meant to be heard by a national audience.
49ers GM John Lynch taking in this Seahawks drivepic.twitter.com/icJA2W5kBz
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) January 4, 2026
Walker ran all over the 49ers’ defense throughout Saturday’s game, finishing with 97 yards on 16 carries. His impact felt double that in a low-scoring affair that the Seahawks won 13-3.
Lynch and the 49ers faithful were all likely on a short fuse with the Niners’ offense suddenly disappearing during their biggest game of the season. San Francisco entered the game with 90 points across its previous two games, but could only muster a field goal in a game that determined which team earns the first-round bye in the NFC.
