Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
All offseason, we've been going back and forth between the two biggest San Francisco 49ers storylines. The first is the quarterback situation and the transition from Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance. The second was a bit of a surprise—some drama regarding the relationship between the team and star wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Like most things in the NFL, money seems to be the root of the offseason drama. Samuel saw many of his NFL peers receive big paydays as he awaited a contract extension of his own. That seemingly led to the receiver asking to be traded, which the 49ers are not inclined to do.
Most believe the contract dispute will be resolved in the coming weeks. With Lance slated to start Week 1, Rich Eisen asked 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner if Samuel will be out there with his teammates when the offense takes the field against the Chicago Bears.
"I sure hope so, man," Warner told Eisen on the Rich Eisen Show. "He's one of the best football players in the NFL, so yeah, I sure hope so. [I hope] he's out there."
Warner has been through this process himself. In 2021, he signed a five-year contract extension with the 49ers just six days before he and his teammates were scheduled to report to training camp. Therefore, he understands how the process works and that the game has a complex business side.
"I think when each player that goes through that process, from a teammate's perspective, and knowing that I've been through that process as well, you've got to let that guy go through it, however it may go," Warner said. "I know there's been ups and downs. That's just another part of it that a lot of people don't see. You see the games on Sundays and things like that, but this is kind of just another part of that process, and Deebo's going through that with the guys who are in charge of the team.
"I know there's a lot of time left, and the thing I can say about Deebo is he's an amazing player, as well as a teammate. That's my guy, so I know he'll get whatever he deserves. And I know, in good time, things will work themselves out."
According to Samuel's Instagram account, the wide receiver is in the Bay Area. That could be viewed as a good sign. After all, players are scheduled to report to training camp next week.
Warner has not spoken to Samuel recently, though. While he adores his teammate, he wants the situation to work itself out naturally.
"I've let him handle that process," Warner shared. "I saw him at OTAs, and he was looking great. [He was] in great spirits, too, so it was good to see him back and be back with his teammates. Everybody understands that part of it. It's just part of how it goes, so letting him handle that process as he may."
49ers' Fred Warner addresses Armstead's departure, Greenlaw's recovery, Super Bowl window
By David Bonilla
Apr 22
The news of Arik Armstead's departure from the San Francisco 49ers after nine seasons with the team shocked linebacker Fred Warner. Armstead, a former first-round pick, was an impactful force on the football field. However, his availability over the last two seasons forced the 49ers to reevaluate his contract, and when his salary could not be significantly reduced, the two sides parted ways.
"Huge surprise," Warner said of learning that Armstead was being released. "Ever since I've been here, we called him the blueprint for how to be a Niner. That was the longest-tenured Niner that's been here and a guy that's done it right through and through."
Warner has been in the NFL long enough to understand how the league works. Over the years, he's watched several
49ers offer Deebo Samuel assurances regarding roster status
By David Bonilla
19 hrs
Amidst swirling trade rumors surrounding Brandon Aiyuk, the speculation surrounding Deebo Samuel's future with the San Francisco 49ers seems to have quieted down.
According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers have assured Samuel that he will not be involved in any pre- or post-draft transactions, ensuring his place on the roster for the time being.
"Samuel, who signed a three-year, $71.55 million extension before the 2022 season, has been assured by his bosses that he will not be dealt during or after the draft," Silver reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.
Earlier in the
Mike Silver on how Deebo Samuel's contract might be the starting point for a Brandon Aiyuk extension
By Al Sacco
Apr 16
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, it's common for the rumor mill to start churning, especially with players who are actively seeking a new contract. It was just two short years ago that WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to draft day, only for cooler heads to prevail and eventually agree to a new deal.
Now, it's WR Brandon Aiyuk's turn to try and get paid and rumors surfaced over the weekend that he too would request to be dealt. While that report was quickly shot down by his agent, there's still a lot of discussion about Aiyuk's future and if other teams will come calling on draft night.
Legendary columnist Mike Silver joined
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
