The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back wide receiver Deebo Samuel, agreeing to a one-year, $7 million contract after concerns grew surrounding Ricky Pearsall's availability for the 2026 season. Pearsall continues to deal with the effects of the PCL injury that limited him last season.
Many expect Samuel to reclaim the starting outside receiver role opposite Mike Evans—the spot the 49ers envisioned Pearsall occupying this season. However, NBC Sports Bay Area insider Matt Maiocco isn't ready to assume that job belongs to the veteran receiver.
Instead, Maiocco believes rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is making a legitimate case to earn the role.
"I think it's Mike Evans and De'Zhaun Stribling," Maiocco said during an appearance on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "That's what I think."
Stribling has been one of the most frequently targeted offensive players during training camp and continues to showcase the playmaking ability that made him an intriguing second-round pick. If the rookie maintains his current trajectory, he could challenge Samuel for the 49ers' No. 2 wide receiver role.
"Stribling's on track," Maiocco continued. "Now, there's a long way to get to the starting line. He's got to make it through training camp. The joint practices are going to be big."
Maiocco also highlighted that after Friday's practice, Evans was asked which rookies had impressed him most during training camp. The veteran receiver immediately pointed to Stribling.
"He's impressing the guys that he needs to impress," Maiocco added. "And he's making catches every day. And for those of us who keep stats or whatever during training camp, it means absolutely nothing other than, when the ball is being thrown to wide receivers, regardless of experience level, it tells you they're doing the right thing. The receiver is where he needs to be for Brock Purdy to throw to him, or Mac Jones, or Adrian Martinez, or Kurtis Rourke.
"So, it's telling you that the rookie is doing the right things, and he looks the part. He's mature. I would say this: as a wide receiver, even for this year, there's a bigger upside with Stribling."
While Maiocco believes Stribling has the higher upside, he acknowledged that Samuel could still have a major role in the 49ers' offense. The veteran receiver is likely motivated to prove himself during his second stint with San Francisco and brings a unique skill set as a versatile offensive weapon.
"I love the way he plays the game," Evans told reporters. "I think he's going to bring what he brought before to the team—that energy, that versatility. Hell of a pickup for us."
The 49ers will learn more about where Samuel stands at this point in his career once he begins practicing, which could happen as soon as Saturday morning.
"A hungry Deebo Samuel, in the past, was a really good football player," Maiocco concluded.
Mentioned in this article: Mike Evans, Mac Jones, Ricky Pearsall, Brock Purdy, Kurtis Rourke, Deebo Samuel, De'Zhaun Stribling
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