Michael Irvin, like The Faithful, hopes Deebo Samuel doesn't leave the San Francisco 49ers any time soon. The wide receiver is eligible for a contract extension. Yes, it's only April. There is a lot of time to make something happen. However, recent chatter has revolved about Samuel scrubbing his Instagram account of anything 49ers-related. That includes his profile picture and game-day photos.
Samuel proved himself one of the team's best players last season. In fact, his breakout season that featured 1,770 total yards and 14 total touchdowns—not including his touchdown pass—showed everyone that he's one of the best young, dynamic players in the league.
While the 49ers certainly need Samuel on their roster, Irvin believes the fourth-year wide receiver also needs the 49ers. The Hall of Fame wideout spoke with Samuel after the Super Bowl, offering some advice.
"I love the dude. I love the way he plays," Irvin told 95.7 The Game's Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto. "I even said to him, 'Hey man, get all you can, but I think it would be best for you to stay with San Francisco. Stay with Kyle Shanahan.' He looked at me like, 'Why you telling me this?' Like, it kind of felt, OK, he didn't receive that well. So maybe there had already been some preliminary talks because I was trying to sell him there."
Irvin admits that he would fight for the money too, but understands that being in the right situation with the right head coach and system is just as important. However, Samuel has watched several of his NFL wide receiver peers get paid this offseason. His value has never been higher.
"But if I had the chance to leave the kind of mark Deebo can leave, that Deebo will leave in this league and on the franchise, an organization like the San Francisco 49ers, I have to consider that," Irvin continued. "I say that on Deebo's side.
"I say this on San Francisco's side: You let me walk in any damn locker room in this league, and you give me 13 minutes in that locker room, I can tell you which player that team cannot do without; the player that has to be on that team. And when I watch San Francisco, Deebo is that guy. You saw them walking out in that [playoff] game right here in Dallas. When they walked out, him and Trent [Williams], hand in hand, he sets the tone for that team.
"You can talk about physical skill sets. We can talk about how well you run, how high you jump. When you find the dude that sets the tone for your team, you do not let him go, and that's what Deebo does for the San Francisco 49ers. I guarantee you, you'll be a different football team without [him]."
That doesn't mean Irvin believes Samuel's salary should surpass those of players like Tyreek Hill or Davante Adams. Samuel hasn't put up the consistent numbers like other top-paid elite wideouts. However, Irvin also doesn't believe that's all Samuel's fault. The 49ers may be partly to blame.
"And then what I'm going to have to talk to you about, if I'm his representative, that's not on him," Irvin said. "That's on you guys. Those other guys you just mentioned, [they've had] some good quarterbacks. Who have you gotten in here? You put all those draft picks and all that in Trey Lance; you didn't put him on the field. Get him a better quarterback like those guys you're talking about, I'm going to say to you. ... You're trying to get rid of Jimmy Garoppolo, and he's [put up these stats] with him. You know [Garoppolo]'s not good enough. That's why you're trying to get rid of him."
Irvin added, "Man, I'm just hoping I'm singing my song next year for Deebo and San Fran. I hope they do not mess this thing up."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Irvin below.