Earlier this morning, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero shared the latest news on Deebo Samuel and his contract extension, stating that while there isn't a finalized deal, both the 49ers and Samuel's camp continue to talk about a long-term deal ahead of Tuesday, when the 49ers' players are due to report to training camp.
"There's no deal done yet, but the 49ers continue to talk to Deebo Samuel's agent Tory Dandy about a long-term contract extension that would keep him in San Francisco. The fact that they're even talking is really significant when you go back to where this began in April [with] Deebo Samuel requesting a trade. [He] didn't show up to OTAs throughout the offseason, [but] did show up to minicamp."
Pelissero noted that Deebo Samuel likely will not hold out of training camp due to the new CBA provisions, stating that players could lose an accrued season should they not report, which would be significant in the 26-year-old receiver's case.
"People who were there [at minicamp] said that Deebo was in pretty good spirits, but did not participate in any team drills, and that potentially could indicate what direction things go, at least coming up this week if there's no long-term deal done. It is highly unlikely that Deebo Samuel would hold out, because, going into Year 4, by not showing up to Day 1 of training camp, he would lose out on an accrued season meaning that even if Deebo were to play out this season, he'd be a restricted free agent next March."
Instead, Pelissero believes Samuel could do as others have recently, and elect to "hold-in", similar to what he did during mandatory minicamp, where he reports, but doesn't practice to full capacity until the extension talks are finalized.
"[The] more likely scenario, and this has become commonplace around the NFL, is potentially a hold-in, where Deebo Samuel would report. He would not actually participate, or at least not fully participate in practice until they get to the point where they have a contract done. So again, the sides continue to talk. That much is good and we'll see whether they have the opportunity to get something done before players are due to report on Tuesday."
However, it appears that Samuel's situation seems much more optimistic than a few months ago when the star receiver told ESPN's Jeff Darlington that he requested a trade, but; more information will be revealed Wednesday during San Francisco's first open practice when reporters can see the status of Deebo Samuel on the practice field.