Martin Mayhew came to the 49ers in 2017 with seven seasons of experience as general manager of the Detroit Lions.
He joined ranks again with his former football teammate John Lynch in the 49ers front office in 2017. Lynch was a first-time general manager, and he unquestionably leaned on Mayhew's vast NFL experience.
Mayhew, 55, has left his post as 49ers vice president of player personnel to become Washington's general manager. The club announced on Friday that Mayhew will report directly to head coach Ron Rivera.
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“Martin has played an integral role in helping to establish a sustainable, championship culture over the last four years," Lynch said Friday in a statement. "His skills as a talent evaluator and his counsel as a trusted advisor have positively impacted me and the 49ers organization."
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Mayhew played nine seasons in the NFL as a defensive back. He was teammates with Lynch for two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a starting cornerback for Washington in Super Bowl XXVI.
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"Personally, Martin has always been a loyal teammate and a tremendous friend to me and my family," Lynch said. "We are excited for him to take on this new opportunity at an organization with which he has so much history. On behalf of our entire team, we wish Martin nothing but the best.”
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Rivera said Mayhew will be responsible for running the daily football operation, freeing up Rivera to concentrate on coaching.
"He is a man of high character and integrity and was part of the rich history and tradition of this great franchise as a member of the Super Bowl championship team in 1991," Rivera said.
As part of the NFL's new program to incentivize organizations for developing minority leaders, the 49ers will receive compensatory draft picks in the third round of the next three drafts as a result of losing both defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as head coach of the New York Jets and Mayhew.