Deebo Samuel was the most valuable player for the 49ers in 2021. Wednesday morning, Samuel joined ESPN’s First Take and was asked about the 49ers quarterback situation and if Trey Lance was ready to take over as the starting quarterback.
“Looking back and seeing what I see in Trey, it’s going to take some time with him not having as many reps this year to come in and be the guy I know him to be,” responded Samuel. “With time you get better. I put all my trust in Trey and whatever Kyle’s plan is.
Samuel reached several milestones in 2021, earning All-Pro honors and being named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Samuel also was voted by his 49ers teammates as the recipient of the most prestigious awards given by the team, the Len Eshmont Award. This award is given to the 49er who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team.
The breakout season could not have come at a better time for Samuel who is in the final year of his rookie deal and count scheduled to count $4.940 million against the salary cap.
The versatility which Samuel brings could make for an interesting negotiation. On more than one occasion during the playoffs Samuel referred to himself as a “wide back”, a wide receiver that plays running back.
During the end of year press conference, San Francisco general manager John Lynch stated, “there’s some interesting dynamics with Deebo playing multiple positions, but the bottom line, he’s an excellent football player. And so, I’m sure that we’ll find a way to get that done and like I said, it’s been budgeted for.”
On Wednesday, Samuel was asked how he sees himself. “I’m a wideout before anything,” he responded. “I think I had probably 1,000 yards receiving by week 10, so that shows you I’m a wideout. I can do anything you ask me to do, including returning kickoffs.”
The clarification provided by Samuel provides a baseline for what his representatives will be seeking with a new deal.
DeAndre Hopkins is currently the highest paid wide receiver win an annual average value of $27.25 million after signing an extension with the Arizona Cardinals.
The hottest name on the free agent market this offseason is Davante Adams, who Samuel called the best wide receiver in the game. Adams is reportedly seeking a contract which would pay him an average of $30 million annually.
A new deal for Samuel will likely be in the range of $20 – $22 million annually. Looking at how the 49ers have structured recent contracts, it’s safe to assume San Francisco will try to backload the contract.
If San Francisco can get Samuel to agree to a structure similar to the one they gave Fred Warner a season ago, keeping his cap hit close to what it would have been under his rookie contract, it would be a major win for the 49ers given their current salary cap constraints.
The versatility Deebo offers is unparalleled in the NFL. Great WR and great RB. I guess you can look at Cordarelle Patterson and what he’s done in his career but he’s obviously not on the same level as Deebo. There really is no one like Deebo. With Deebo you can lineup in 21 personnel and then motion into 11 personnel or vice versa and still be great at both position groups with threats all over the field. The matchup mismatches you can create with someone like Deebo are incredible. Imagine lining up with Deebo as RB and Kittle as FB and running a few plays and then lining up the same way and motioning to an empty set. The possibilities are limitless. Deebo is going to get paid.
Facts. There’s no one or nothing to compare what he does to. He may just be a player that has set a new mark for Wide Backs
Early in Samuels career he dropped a clean pass as he was acting cocky at the time. Right after that drop he completely changed his demeaner. His attitude was to never take anything for granted. He caught everything that was thrown his way. He bulked up in the off season without losing speed. Always improving and working on his game. Hard work and a fierce determination have driven him ever since that dropped pass.