NFL rumors: Niners dealing, Chris Olave arrest, retired Packer defends Love

Is John Lynch working the phones already?

San Francisco 49ers executive John Lynch pulled off one of the best trades of the NFL season last year when he acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. Were it not for an untimely Brock Purdy injury in the NFC title game, the trade may have been a Super Bowl-winning one.

This year, it's unclear if the Niners will make another big splash, but Monday provided some hints.

Matt Barrows shared a picture on Monday Night of Niners general manager John Lynch and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensa engaged in conversation for 20 minutes ahead of the two teams facing off on MNF.

Barrows is quick to point out two facts: One, Adofo-Mensah is a former Niners employee, so they could just be catching up. But he also reminds fans that Lynch and Scott Fitterer were engaged in a long conversation before the Niners acquired Christian McCaffrey. Clearly, Lynch uses these games as an opportunity to get some work done, not just bump elbows and exchange pleasantries.

If Lynch is to engage the Vikings for a star, the biggest splash to make would be to acquire defensive end Danielle Hunter, rumored to be on the block. It seems as if stars like Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson are off the table, but who knows what Lynch might be able to pull off.

At 5-2, the Niners hold a one-game lead in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks on their heels. San Francisco has looked like the best or second-best team in the conference for much of the season. Unfortunately, their measuring stick game against the Philadelphia Eagles doesn't come until Dec. 3, far beyond the NFL trade deadline on Oct. 31.