It was one of the odder outcomes of an NFL trade deadline day packed with 49ers rumors and discussion, and more than a few fans — and even sober-minded media members — were deceived. However, an apparently authentic account posted a completely false trade rumor about a 49ers-Giants trade that fell through because New York did not submit its paperwork on time.
It was an exciting narrative — who doesn’t like the thought of a massive multibillion-dollar NFL enterprise like the Giants collapsing because they couldn’t fill out a questionnaire quickly enough? The issue with the tale (and it’s a big one) is that it was a hoax.
On KNBR radio in San Francisco on Wednesday morning, general manager John Lynch discussed the phony 49ers trade that purportedly would have sent cornerback Adoree Jackson to San Francisco.
“That is not true at all,” Lynch stated. “I spoke with Joe Schoen at one point, but not about that deal or really any deal, just checking in, that type of thing.” So, that was not genuine.”
Giants’49ers Trade Rumor Sent From Troll Account
The Giants-49ers trade speculation was sparked by a tweet from Wesley Steinberg, whose X (previously Twitter) profile reads, “NFL and NY Giants Insider.” Sports Representative for AS-MR. Dedicated Husband and Father.” The issue is that he is a well-known social media satirist and troll.
However, when he posted, “The #Giants had a trade agreed upon with the #49ers for Adoree Jackson but failed to report it to the league in time,” the story sounded convincing enough to be genuine. Some websites repeated Steinberg’s allegation without checking to see if it had been reported elsewhere or if Steinberg had any credibility.
As a result, the word spread to credible websites such as SB Nation and Athlon Sports. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle retweeted (and untweeted) it, and KNBR created a video showing Dan Dibley addressing the Giants’ “incompetence.”
In the end, Steinberg’s tweet went viral, garnering 2.5 million views on X.
‘We Have a Lot of Conversations,’ says John Lynch.
There was no Giants-49ers transaction, and no Giants-49ers trade rumors should have existed. Still, a cornerback acquisition would have been beneficial for San Francisco’s ailing defense, which allowed 400 yards in back-to-back weeks for the first time since October 2017.
Of course, the 49ers were not idle on trade deadline day, adding former No. 2 pick Chase Young in a deal with Washington. Rumors persisted that something more would be done, and various stories stated that the 49ers had discussions about cornerbacks with other clubs, particularly with Chicago’s Jaylon Johnson.
Lynch did not elaborate on any of those 49ers rumors.
“We have a lot of conversations, you know, a lot of different positions,” he told me. “And, you know, all I can say is that this is the deal that made the most sense, and we’re delighted to include it.” I think in my heart that we have enough space in this facility to get where we want to go and expect to go. And now it’s just a matter of getting out there and doing it.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter for Heavy.com who focuses on the NBA and NFL. He has been writing for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the Sporting News’ lead NBA reporter. Deveney’s nonfiction books include “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley Became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.”More information on Sean Deveney
