What uniform will do-everything wide receiver Deebo Samuel be wearing next season? The San Francisco 49ers likely still hope their 26-year-old star stays in the Bay Area. However, the two sides appear to be at an impasse regarding a contract extension, leading many to wonder if another DeForest Buckner situation might be brewing.
San Francisco traded Buckner ahead of the 2020 draft after the two sides couldn't agree to terms on a contract extension.
Samuel proved to be a valuable contributor for the 49ers in 2021. He racked up 1,770 total yards of offense and 14 total touchdowns, not including his touchdown pass in Week 18. However, his 1,405 receiving yards marked the first time he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in his three NFL seasons. Samuel also missed 10 combined games in his first two seasons.
Serving as a wide receiver and lining up as a running back in the backfield has many wondering how much more punishment Samuel can take in Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"With heavy mileage on his odometer from last year's do-everything season, and an injury past that led to nine missed games in 2020, Samuel may be looking for more guaranteed money in exchange for a lower annual salary," wrote Christian D'Andrea for USA Today's For The Win.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Samuel may not want to get a deal done with the 49ers right now. In fact, the NFL insider wonders if the wide receiver is looking for a change of scenery.
"This, I think, right now, is Deebo Samuel not wanting to get a deal done," Schefter said on-air. "It's not San Francisco not willing to do the deal. The 49ers are ready. Deebo Samuel is the one that has put a halt to everything for right now."
On Tuesday, Samuel's brother, Tyquan Samuel, commented on Facebook that the 49ers wide receiver might be looking to seek a trade. Of course, part of the delay might be Samuel's camp waiting to see what happens with other receivers from his draft class, like A.J. Brown, Terry McLaurin, and D.K. Metcalf. Samuel has already seen other wide receivers, like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill, cash in this offseason.
D'Andrea projected what a contract extension for Samuel might look like—assuming he and the 49ers repair their relationship. After all, Samuel recently scrubbed his Instagram account of all things 49ers-related. He would prefer to feature a blank profile picture than one of him wearing red and gold.
D'Andrea believes a fair deal for both sides would pay Samuel up to $125 million over five years and include $55 million guaranteed. While he would not be the league's highest-paid wideout, he would set a new NFL record for the most guaranteed money at signing for a receiver.
The $25 million average salary would rank fourth among NFL wide receivers, behind only Hill, Adams, and DeAndre Hopkins.
"It's a deal San Francisco could live with; Jimmy Garoppolo's contract expires after 2022," wrote D'Andrea. "With presumptive starter Trey Lance set to make just about $9 million in 2023, San Francisco would have nearly $60 million in spending room before hitting the salary cap."