Despite all the perceived drama between Deebo Samuel and the 49ers this offseason, the talented wide receiver/running back reported for training camp on Tuesday. Listening to general manager John Lynch during his pre-camp press conference, it sounds like Samuel is on the verge of signing a contract extension.
“We’ve had really productive and substantive talks,” Lynch said. “I don’t wanna get everyone all excited that something’s imminent, because we’re not there yet. But really hopeful that in the near future, we’ll be able to announce that’s exciting for everyone involved. That’s good. Deebo’s here today and we’re excited about moving forward with him as part of this team.”
So it might not happen in the next day or two, but you have to figure that the 49ers and Samuel will come to an agreement at some point before the regular season starts on Sept. 12.
Samuel put together a historic season last year, setting an NFL record with eight rushing touchdowns by a receiver. He also averaged a league-best 18.2 yards per catch last year, racking up 1,405 receiving yards and six scores through the air while adding 365 rushing yards. Deebo also put the 49ers offense on his back during stretches throughout the team’s postseason run to the NFC Championship.
Once the season ended, though, Samuel made cryptic social media posts hinting at his discontent with the team, unfollowed them on Instagram and reportedly requested a trade. Sounds like that’s all water under the bridge now.
“We’re focused on getting something done,” Lynch said. “There’s not a hard deadline, but deadlines have a way of spurring these things into action. We’ve had a number of productive talks and hopeful that something’s gonna happen here in the near future.”
Samuel is due to make about $4 million in the final season of his rookie deal but could make upwards of $25 million annually given the recent big-money contracts doled out to receivers around the league.
As for fellow 2019 draftee Nick Bosa, the 49ers have a little bit more time, as they exercised the fifth-year option of his rookie deal as a first-round pick. Bosa is locked up for two more seasons and looks like a prime candidate to join players like Fred Warner, George Kittle, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford who signed huge five-year extensions with the Niners.
The 49ers might have financial incentive to get a deal done this year. If Bosa puts together another big campaign like he did last year, the edge rusher could take on a few million more dollars to his deal. But Lynch doesn’t sound like he’s in a rush to sign Bosa.
“If you look at our history, our cadence, most of our deals are done with one year left on the contract,” Lynch said. “Nick’s got two years left. That doesn’t make it impossible, but that makes it more likely that it’s something that will be addressed. No absolutes, never say never. As long as I do know we’re here, Nick Bosa’s gonna be part of the Niners and he’s gonna get paid handsomely to do so. His time’s coming. When it does, he’ll get what he deserves. Because, man, what a special player.”
