"It sounds like there's multiple layers to this. But certainly one of them is Deebo Samuel wants to be a receiver and not a receiver/running back. His rushing attempts were significantly up last season from where they've been in the past. We all know that he's a really, really physical player, but there probably are some concerns here about longevity. The counterpoint to that, of course, is that part of the reason that Deebo Samuel is so valuable is because he's versatile. ... But in the big picture, it sounds like the role is part of the reason that Deebo wants to play somewhere else, where he may just be a true wide receiver and potentially tack on some years to his career."
I don't think this is San Francisco unwilling to pay him his worth though (unless his perceived worth is $30million/year). Again, Schefter has said that SF is willing to pay him, but this is Deebo shutting down. There are rumblings (probably from Deebo's camp) that SF hasn't even extended an offer yet, but that wouldn't be out of the ordinary with the Niners as this front office has traditionally taken care of free agency, and the draft before engaging with players (i.e. Kittle, Warner) about extensions. I wonder if they indeed haven't offered anything yet if it isn't because they preferred to wait until the summer as they have in the past. Obviously, Deebo is trying to rush this and strike while the iron is hot given the recent explosion in the WR market.
Is the implication here that Deebo went to Shanahan at some point, told him he doesn't want to play RB anymore, and Shanahan said no? Because it seems like a very easy solution here is for the 49ers to just not use him like that anymore and extend him
I don't see the 9ers trading Deebo to Green Bay, just like there was no way we would have traded Rodgers or Adams to them.
That's obviously simplified, but I could see that having happened. Just my observation as a Niners fan, I don't think Shanahan wanted to use Deebo that much in that role, but he didn't trust Trey Sermon yet, and neither of the other 49ers RBs were healthy enough to be depended on to back up Elijah Mitchell. So, Deebo took on that role. I don't think Shanahan minds dialing back Deebo's number of carries (especially with healthy RBs), but he's not going to outright say we're not going to have you carry the ball anymore, nor should he.
And he was one of the most electrifying players/most talked about during that time. I get his perspective of wanting to extend his career just seems weird to be upset by the role that has him set up for a massive payday. He is a good receiver on his own but 9ers don’t make the playoffs nor does he get talked about like he does if not for the move to RB part time.
The funny thing is, I would bet on him becoming an elite (pure) WR given an above average QB, and would be happy to pay him accordingly. This despite his split role usage being what earned him this potential pay day. To me, this is just Deebo holding the 49ers hostage.
My cursory understanding is he was used as an rb in part bc Jimmy has a noodle arm and they couldn’t maximize his talents as a traditional wr.
See what I wrote above about my suspicion for his extended usage as a RB. I think they'd have still handed the ball off to him even with a better QB given that he's such a talented runner and you want to use that to your advantage, though more on jet sweeps and not up the gut.
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/04/21/does-deebo-samuel-not-want-to-live-in-california/ Different possibility
not sure I buy that until I get more than "Chris Simms poked around." But there is nothing stopping SF from trading him to another west coast team
Are 49ers fans required to post in repetitive, dense paragraphs? This thread was a fucking journey. Less is more, gents.
Probably the latter I assume. I imagine he was using it as leverage to get paid and I can't blame him for it.
He never publicly said his usage as a RB was the issue, but I’d imagine that it was. He and Shanahan have a good enough relationship where they can come to an agreement about usage. But, even if he were strictly used as a WR, I’m okay with the contract. It would be an over-pay, but that guy plays every game like it’s his last. You want to reward those guys imo.