The New York Jets tried to get their hands on wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Then the Miami Dolphins got involved, and head coach Robert Saleh's squad was left empty-handed.
That leaves the Jets focused on potentially adding a receiving threat via the draft. However, Saleh and company are also watching what is happening around the NFL. ESPN's Rich Cimini reports that the Jets are "keeping an eye" on the situations with the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers (h/t Sasha D. Robinson).
"A handful of star receivers are entering the final year of their rookie contract, including DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown, and Deebo Samuel," wrote Cimini. "The market is blowing up, which might make it harder for their teams to re-sign them."
Obviously, the Jets staff knows what Samuel brings to an offense. Saleh was the defensive coordinator in Santa Clara for four years. His offensive coordinator, Mike LaFleur, was the 49ers' passing game coordinator for those same four years.
"To say the coaches have an affinity for Samuel would be an understatement," wrote Cimini. "At this point, there's no indication that any of them are available, but the Jets are keeping an eye on the situations, just in case."
Entering his fourth NFL season, Samuel is eligible for a contract extension. The Dolphins made Hill the highest-paid wide receiver, earning an average of $30 million a year. Devante Adams, now with the Las Vegas Raiders, received a new contract that will earn him $28 million a year.
Samuel currently earns about $1.8 million a year, ranking No. 75 among active receivers. However, he's proven himself to be among the most dynamic and versatile players in the league, amassing 1,770 total yards and 14 total touchdowns while setting a record for the most single-season rushing touchdowns by a receiver with eight.
The 49ers' "wide back" is due a big payday.
As Cimini said, nothing indicates that any of the three teams mentioned are looking to deal their star receivers. While the 49ers are up against the salary cap right now with just $2.1 million available as of Sunday, resolving the Jimmy Garoppolo situation would free up more than enough money to ensure that neither Samuel nor defensive end Nick Bosa go anywhere for a long time.
General manager John Lynch recently called Samuel and Bosa foundational parts of the 49ers, and expects to them remain with the team. Of course, something similar was once said about defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.
"Well, it will certainly be a challenge, as good of players as those guys are," Lynch said. "But I do know this: Those guys are, in my mind, no absolutes, but those guys are going to be 49ers. They're foundational to what we do. On the field, their play is special. Off the field, in their own way, they've each become really big-time leaders for our team. They make their teammates better, and we realize all that value."
