Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Is it time to worry about Deebo Samuel snubbing the 49ers on social media?
Is there trouble between the San Francisco 49ers and their star wide receiver,
Deebo Samuel? First, many noticed that Samuel had unfollowed the team on Instagram. Most felt that wasn't a big deal, though. Some of us even laughed at the premature angst it caused on social media. Most recently, however, the receiver removed his Instagram profile picture, which once featured him in his 49ers uniform.
Apparently, Samuel has also removed all of the photos he had posted of himself in a 49ers uniform.
All of this is causing a mini-panic among the fanbase. Samuel is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension. Of course, there are those with the attitude of Matt Barrows of The Athletic, who takes a more level-headed approach to the online speculation.
Perhaps this is a negotiating tactic by Samuel and his agent. Samuel has watched many of his peers cash in this offseason. First, Davante Adams signed a five-year contract worth up to $140 million after the Green Bay Packers traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders. Then, Tyreek Hill received a four-year contract worth up to $120 million after the Kansas City Chiefs traded him to the Miami Dolphins. Most recently, Stefon Diggs signed a four-year extension worth up to $104 million with the Buffalo Bills.
Here is what appeared to be Samuel's reaction to Diggs' new deal.
Until Samuel addresses his social media edits, each will continue to be scrutinized by a fanbase that hopes the relationship between the 49ers and the receiver hasn't soured.
On Thursday, Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager spoke to Pat McAfee about Samuel's social media actions.
"I think he's upset, and I think the Niners, they don't give money out," Schrager said. "[George] Kittle had to wait, and other guys had to wait. Jimmy's (Garoppolo) still on the salary cap right now for $25 million. … [Players are] not getting it when they want it. They're going to get it when the team wants it."
Is it time to worry about Deebo Samuel's social media actions? Probably not. But it's still causing a lot of chatter in an otherwise slow part of the offseason.
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