Shock: Pass Rusher’s return to Florida.

One week after the start of the legal tampering period, seven-year veteran edge rusher Aaron Lynch has joined the free agent pool. A fifth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, there was a time when Lynch was a reliable edge defender. From 2014 to 2020, the South Florida product recorded a collective 21 sacks, 111 tackles, 37 tackles-for-loss, and 66 quarterback hits. Most of his success came with the San Francisco 49ers, as Lynch recorded 12.5 sacks, 47 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss, and 35 quarterback hits during his first two years in the league.

The edge defender to hang up the cleats following the 2020 season. However, Aaron Lynch has apparently had a chance of heart and wants to restart his career as a free agent. Even though he hasn’t seen the field in three years, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes the Cleveland Browns gave him a workout, so there is a chance he lands with a new team.

Aaron Lynch Unretires, Joins Free Agent Edge Defenders.

Chances are, this Browns visit was nothing more than due diligence. Aaron Lynch hasn’t played in the NFL in quite some time, and the free agent wasn’t too effective the last time we saw him either. The edge defender spent the 2020 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, playing just 150 total snaps while recording a subpar 50.8 PFF grade. If you prefer traditional stats, Lynch finished the season with just one sack, six tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and three quarterback hits in eight games.

Aaron Lynch will be 31 in Week 1, which is even more bad news for the free agent. Even though he hasn’t had to take NFL contact since 2020, he’s still gotten older, and he’s past the age where most players start slowing down. Still, he’ll cost next to nothing, and there is a chance one of the following five teams kicks the tires on Lynch to see if he has anything left in his tank.