In an ideal NFL world, the San Francisco 49ers would lock up wide receiver Deebo Samuel to a long-term contract, keeping the dynamic player with the team for the foreseeable future. Things aren't always ideal in the NFL, though. Samuel's representatives and the 49ers appear far apart in contract discussions. Of course, it's only April. There is plenty of time for both sides to work something out.
49ers players are reporting to Santa Clara today to start the offseason program. Samuel, obviously, won't be among them. He is unlikely to make an appearance under his current contract, which shouldn't shock anyone.
Steve Wyche reports that those hoping for a quick resolution to the situation might end up disappointed.
"The 49ers—I spoke with someone there—they've been in contact with the agent; they're trying to get something done," Wyche said on NFL Network. "But this could be a long spring and summer before they get a contract done with the numbers that we've seen in that exploding wide receiver market."
Samuel has watched as several of his peers, like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill, received new contracts. Of course, those lucrative deals came after trades.
Jim Trotter says he is keeping an eye on the situation because he remembers what happened ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft when the 49ers and DeForest Buckner were at an impasse when it came to a contract extension. The team ended up trading the defensive tackle to the Indianapolis Colts, where he has flourished.
"I'm watching this before the draft to see if anything transpires with Deebo," Trotter said, "because the Niners don't have those [first-round] picks that they gave up in the Trey Lance trade. And this could be an opportunity to get some of those picks back if they believe they cannot get a deal done with Deebo Samuel."
Wyche also discussed the quarterback situation, saying the 49ers still hope to trade Jimmy Garoppolo after fully recovering from his shoulder surgery. While the team doesn't yet know what they have in second-year quarterback Trey Lance, head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch believe in the young player.
"And something that could really make [Lance] a lot better: Deebo Samuel," Wyche added.