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."
