The 2022 NFL Draft didn’t see the San Francisco 49ers trade their star receiver Deebo Samuel.
While other NFL teams made deals to ship off receivers, the 49ers are sticking with Samuel.
However, if they want him playing in 2022, they need a new deal for the Swiss Army knife of the team.
Some believe getting a deal with him done might prove difficult.
But, in reality, San Francisco has some simple solutions to keep their receiver in town.
49ers Have To Give Up Their Plans Of Samuel Being A Running Back
Last season saw Samuel running, passing, and catching the ball.
That made him into a valuable Swiss Army knife for San Francisco and their offense.
However, he doesn’t want that role of running back while playing wide receiver.
Deebo Samuel reportedly dictating he doesn't want to run the ball yet still wants a $25 million+ contract will not sit well with most NFL teams. 49ers may have no choice but to deal him to the desperate Jets to avoid a potential season of diva-ism.
— My favorite number is 17 (@johndeweychica1) April 28, 2022
Staying away from rushing the ball actually helps keep him healthy.
Health concerns have been a hallmark of his young career.
He missed nine total games in 2020 over hamstring and foot injuries he suffered.
A running back role for him increases his chances of injury with his size.
If the 49ers want to keep Samuel around, a simple agreement to keep him at receiver helps.
49ers Also Need To Pay Samuel To Keep Him In San Francisco
People think Samuel’s value is his ability to be used anywhere.
That’s not true with him in San Francisco.
With 77 receptions in 2021, he had 1,405 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Most of those yards came from his running after the catch, meaning he eluded defenses.
779 yards of his 1,405 yards were yards after the catch, something that’s impressive.
Deebo Samuel finished the year with 779 Yards After the Catch, trailing only Cooper Kupp who finished with 846
This number is even more impressive when you consider Kupp had almost double the amount of receptions that Samuel did (146 to Samuel’s 77)
— Jordan Elliott (@JLeeElliott) January 12, 2022
These are the reasons to give him a big contract, not that he’s a Swiss Army knife.
While his versatility is great, he’s other accomplishments at receiver show he’s worth the money.
However, San Francisco might need to rework Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract to complete a deal with Samuel.
Would Garoppolo Rework His Contract?
One obstacle in San Francisco’s way with a new contract is Garoppolo.
His base salary of over $24 million for 2022 sucks the life from San Francisco with any new contract.
However, they could attempt to rework his contract for this season.
Is he willing to do it?
Most likely not, unless San Francisco guarantees they won’t trade or bench him.
Guarantees like those might give San Francisco the money needed to keep Samuel.
However, it would force them to stick with Garoppolo at quarterback over Trey Lance.
But would keeping Jimmy G over Lance be a bad idea if it means keeping Samuel as well?
The Devil In The Details
People on Twitter believe Samuel doesn’t want Lance as the quarterback in San Francisco.
As a former NFL scout, the reason #49ers #DeeboSamuel wants out is #treylance was 29% (9/31) on 3rd downs. According to https://t.co/z0U3myo1dG the Bears had the worst 3rd down rate at 34.73% (6-11). Deebo doesn’t want to be part of a losing season and lose his contract leverage. pic.twitter.com/dxL20eropM
— Whatever it Takes (@danielkellybook) April 26, 2022
If true, keeping Garoppolo would work out for San Francisco in the end.
However, the statement by the former NFL scout has never been confirmed.
But it makes for an interesting angle with the contract saga going on in San Francisco.
Garoppolo, as pedestrian as he can be, is a veteran quarterback that knows his players and team.
Making a deal with the devil you know to keep the star you have in Samuel is worth a chance.
NEXT: Deebo Samuel Makes A Notable Change On Social Media