Shanahan excited to have Deebo ready for season
Samuel signs new S.F. deal for three years and $73.5 million
SANTA CLARA >> Coach Kyle Shanahan captured in one sound bite exactly why the 49ers have locked Deebo Samuel into a pricey contract extension.
Here is what Shanahan said Monday morning, before the first practice of training camp with shoulder pads and presumably Samuel, an Allpro wide receiver who agreed Sunday to a new deal with the team (three years, $73.5 million maximum):
“My favorite thing about Deebo is how much he inspires people,” Shanahan began. “He inspires me more than almost any player I've watched on a field, the way he runs the ball, whether you're handing it to him, whether you're throwing it to him, whether he's catching it on a kick.
“These are things you don't have to talk him into doing. It's stuff he usually talks you into doing, because Deebo loves playing football and he loves helping us win.
“That's what everybody sees on Sunday when you guys watch him on TV, and that's why this country really loves Deebo.”
With that, Shanahan debunked one narrative from over the past few months: whether Samuel requested a trade in April because he did not want to be used as a running back, a position where he excelled last season — he rushed for eight touchdowns — but one that exposes him to a great risk of injury.
Shanahan said there is no clause in Samuel's new contract outlining how he'll be used, and Shanahan said that role will continue to vary based on the 49ers' opponent each week.
“We are overjoyed to have come together with Deebo to keep him with the 49ers for years to come,” said general manager John Lynch said in a team release announcing the deal. “Deebo has the rare ability to not only play at a unique level but to inspire his teammates with the way he plays. He is a special player that embodies `will meeting skill.' We're proud to move forward with him as an integral leader and foundational piece of our team.”
Samuel was not made available for comment before practice and hasn't spoken to media yet this camp. Alas, there's been no definitive word yet from Samuel about why he might have wanted off the team that drafted him in 2019 (second round) out of his native South Carolina. Shanahan cited the time apart after last season's loss in the NFC championship game.
“When you separate from each other, not him and I but just him and the whole building, you go away and know the big decisions are coming, things happen,” Shanahan said. “As you got back close to minicamp and we're able to hang around each other, it was pretty obvious everyone was the same people we've always been. We just had to get back together and start communicating more.”
Whether the coach promised his offensive catalyst a lesser role at running back, Shanahan would not say, though he did relay that he obviously would have told him if he was converting him to a full-time running back.
Shanahan said he personally figured Samuel's deal would get done Sunday during the
49ers' first off day during training camp. Samuel reported July 26 with his teammates then ran on the side for conditioning purposes during practices.
“It was awesome to get Deebo's deal done,” Shanahan added. “I'm just pumped they got it done. I know how pumped he is and how pumped we are and I'm excited to have him at practice.”
This could be the final contract Samuel signs with the 49ers. His next contract might be too high for the 49ers, or his body may be too worn down from the next few seasons.
Even though Samuel is signed, about 40 other players are entering their contract year, including starters Jimmie Ward, Mike Mcglinchey, Emmanuel Moseley, Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Alshaair.
To brace for that next wave of homegrown-player extensions, the 49ers set a plan in motion last year in acquiring a cheaper quarterback through the draft in Trey Lance.
“That's one of the decisions we made last year. We saw some of the guys coming forward,” Shanahan said. “We still have got more guys. There's lots on this team we don't want to lose, so hopefully we can keep working stuff out.”