49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, who is ready to enter a contract yr, desires to capitalize on the seismic shift that the league’s receiver market has undergone this offseason. Even earlier than draftmate A.J. Brown landed a $25M/year deal from the Eagles, Samuel was eyeing that benchmark, and now it appears as if San Francisco should pony up that form of money if it desires to increase the 2021 First Crew All-Professional.
It’s unclear the place extension negotiations stand in the meanwhile, however it continues to appear doubtless that Samuel will stay with the Niners for a minimum of the 2022 marketing campaign. The membership rebuffed all trade inquiries within the run-up to the draft in April, and whereas Samuel was not present for voluntary OTAs, he did appear for obligatory minicamp. Earlier this month, we heard that participant and staff had been still engaged in contract talks, and the truth that Samuel should not need to be utilized as a between-the-tackles runner this season could assist push the 2 sides nearer to an accord.
Additional, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that there’s “not numerous league-wide chatter” a few Samuel commerce in the meanwhile. Samuel has not formally rescinded his trade request (so far as Fowler is aware of), however it appears like rival golf equipment who may be within the South Carolina product consider there isn’t any level in participating the 49ers in commerce talks.
Speculatively, it might be that Samuel realizes re-upping with the 49ers this summer time is his best choice, so long as he can get near his present truthful market worth (which Spotrac estimates to be just shy of $25M per year). If he phases a “hold-in” at coaching camp, the membership may try to forestall him from accruing a fourth yr of service time, which might make him a restricted free agent within the 2023 offseason. And, whereas the staff may waive or cut back any fines he accumulates by holding out of coaching camp — since he’s nonetheless tethered to his rookie contract — holding out clearly comes with the identical service time dangers as a hold-in.
If he merely rejects the 49ers’ finest supply and opts to play out the ultimate yr of his rookie contract within the hopes of hitting free company in 2023, he can be betting his future earnings to a big extent on the fitting arm of an unproven second-year passer in Trey Lance (to say nothing of San Francisco’s franchise tag rights). If Samuel fails to copy his large 2021 efficiency — 77 catches for 1,405 yards and 6 scores, good for a league-best 18.2 yards-per-reception, to go together with 59 carries for 365 yards and eight TDs — his market worth may definitely take a dip.
