Are the 49ers mending their relationship with WR Deebo Samuel?

Late Wednesday night, San Francisco 49ers fans sighed in relief as wide receiver Deebo Samuel reportedly followed the team on Instagram once again, which could be a sign that the relationship is getting back on track.

Samuel, who scrubbed his account of everything 49ers related on April 7th, which was around the time of his reported trade request, was not moved during the draft as the 49ers stayed firm with their decision despite fielding multiple offers for the star receiver.

Now, almost a month later, Samuel has re-followed the team, once again utilizing his power of social media to express his thoughts.

Samuel's public trade request was a wake-up call for the 49ers, as their normal operating method when negotiating contracts, which involves a level of "low-balling" before reaching a compromise, backfired

While San Francisco has had contract disputes in the past, like those with tight end George Kittle and, more recently, left tackle Trent Williams, it never became public to the magnitude that the Samuel saga has.

Samuel's contract negotiations could start to ramp up following A.J. Brown's extension, which was a four-year, $100 million deal, including $57 million in total guarantees and $40 million guaranteed at signing.

While Samuel will almost assuredly earn more than that deal due to his All-Pro status, it provides an equilibrium between Brown's deal and the deal Tyreek Hill signed with the Miami Dolphins that the two sides can operate under.

The negotiations will continue to take time, but for now, it appears the relationship between Samuel and the 49ers organization is turning in a different direction than previously indicated.

• Rohan Chakravarthi
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  Rohan Chakravarthi
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