Deebo Samuel, the star receiver for the 49ers, has his contract running through 2025, with a three-year extension signed in 2022 that includes $41 million in guarantees. However, there is uncertainty about his future with the team, as the contract allows for the 49ers to potentially move on after 2024.

In response to the situation, Samuel expressed his focus on the present, stating, “At the end of the day, the contract was signed. I know what I signed up for, and we’re just focused on this year.” This statement reflects his determination to stay focused on his performance despite the uncertainty surrounding his future with the team.

The uncertainty was further fueled by trade rumors surrounding Samuel before the 2024 draft. General Manager John Lynch confirmed that the team had received calls about both Samuel and fellow receiver Brandon Aiyuk. However, Lynch made it clear that the 49ers were not interested in trading either player moving forward.

Despite this assurance, it appears that the 49ers may have financial constraints when it comes to retaining Samuel beyond this season. The team’s efforts to sign Aiyuk to a lucrative long-term deal, potentially making him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league, suggests that they may not be able to afford Samuel in the long run. This was seemingly reinforced by the team’s selection of Ricky Pearsall with the 31st overall pick, indicating a potential future replacement for Samuel.

Samuel’s future with 49ers remains clouded

Samuel acknowledged the trade rumors, stating, “Yeah, I heard [the trade rumors]. Had a conversation with my agent about it. They was going back and forth with whoever it was. It was a thing at first, but we done moved past it. So we here, and we here to get better.” His response reflects his ability to focus on his performance and dedication to improving despite the distractions.

Amidst this uncertainty, Samuel has shown support for Aiyuk, who recently skipped mandatory minicamp. He empathized with Aiyuk’s contract negotiations, acknowledging the challenges of waiting for a deserving outcome, stating: “At the end of the day, you want to get what you deserve and you hope it happens, but it’s not going to happen in the timely manner that you want it to happen.”