For the first time this summer, 49ers wide receiver/running back Deebo Samuel addressed the media.
The explosive playmaker signed a three-year, $71.55 million contract extension this weekend that included $58.1 million guaranteed. The pact put to bed any notion of drama between the 49ers and Samuel, who appeared to be disgruntled with the franchise at points this offseason and reportedly requested a trade.
Rumblings indicated that Samuel was turned off by his dual-threat role in the 49ers offense, but it sounds like this wasn’t the case.
“At the end of the day, this is a business,” Samuel said. “What changed was the communication. The more we communicated, the more we started to figure things out. There’s a lot of things that came out that I want to speak on, but at the end of the day, I wasn’t allowed to. You can turn on the tape, you can turn on the Cowboys game, it kinda shows what kinda player I am. Also, you can go turn on the Pro Bowl tape and what I said about being a wide back. I don’t mind doing whatever it takes for this team to win.”
Samuel made cryptic social media posts and stopped following the 49ers on Instagram this offseason, leading to speculation that the two sides could be on the outs. Once general manager John Lynch saw Samuel report to mandatory mini-camp in May, he figured the two sides might come to a deal.
“Right there I said, ‘OK, we’re good,” Lynch told reporters Tuesday via conference call. “When there’s motivation on both sides to get a deal done, it’s just a matter of time.”
Samuel started off training camp by working out on the sidelines, before joining his teammates for Monday and Tuesday’s sessions.
“We knew all along that Deebo Samuel makes us better,” Lynch said. “When you know that and there’s a tremendously strong relationship. Relationships, sometimes you have ups and downs. There were some interesting times during this offseason, but we held on that love we have for the kid. I think that’s mutual. I really do believe that. Just the fact that he makes us so much better as a team, we held on to that, worked hard and were able to get something done. We’re extremely proud.”
Samuel was elated once he got the confirmation call from his agent Tory Dandy – who also negotiated hefty extensions for DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin this offseason.
“It’s a feeling that I can’t even explain to be honest with you,” Samuel said. “Once I got the call from my agent, I was just at a loss for words. It’s a blessing to be able to be in a position that I’m in. It’s shows all the hard work and all the stuff that I do for this team. Just happy to be here.”
Samuel sounds content to be locked up with San Francisco for the next four years, though he can opt out of his contract following the 2024 season.
“Besides the money, I just love the game,” Samuel said. “I love being out here. I love this team, the coaching staff and what we have here as an organization.”
Likewise, Lynch is happy to put the contract drama behind the team and focus on the season.
“Nobody said it better than Deebo,” Lynch said. “When we first talked after we agreed, the first thing he told me – it’s time to go to work. That’s exactly right. We can be excited about this, but it is time to put in the work and I’m proud of him as well. With all the noise out there, he was doing all the work on his own and looks to be in a good place in terms of being in shape. We’re encouraged by that as well.”
Now the 49ers are focused on trying to find a suitor for Jimmy Garoppolo, as the veteran quarterback continues to build strength at the team facility while working out on his own. It would be surprising if the team announces an extension for Nick Bosa, who still has two years left on his deal.
“We feel really good about where we are as a roster,” Lynch said. “We always continue to work to improve that. We like signing our own players. Nothing in the works right now, but we’ll always leave that open.”
