San Francisco 49ers basic supervisor John Lynch suggested in January that he would maintain dual-threat offensive weapon Deebo Samuel by means of the offseason. Nonetheless, this previous weekend, it was reported that the 49ers had permitted Samuel and his agent to discover a commerce associate.
For a bit printed Tuesday, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner defined why Lynch and Co. might need to launch Samuel quickly after the club restructured the 29-year-old’s contract in September.
“In the event that they commerce Samuel earlier than June 1, they’d soak up a $31.55M lifeless cash hit on the wage cap,” Wagoner stated of the 49ers. “Samuel can be due a $15.4M choice bonus on March 22, which implies the 49ers virtually definitely want decision to this example earlier than then. …Releasing Samuel after the brand new league yr begins on March 12 however earlier than the choice bonus is due 10 days later with the post-June 1 designation would lower the lifeless cash hits to $10.75M in 2025 and round $20M in 2026. These hits could be the identical if the Niners held on to Samuel previous June 1, although they can not commerce Samuel earlier than then and designate it as such.”
Logic suggests Samuel’s commerce worth is far decrease than 12 months in the past, as he is about to enter the final year of his contract after dealing with a number of physical setbacks this previous season. Briefly, would-be consumers might worry that the punishment Samuel has absorbed whereas serving as a large receiver/ball service throughout his San Francisco tenure has him already previous his prime.
Samuel recorded 51 receptions on 81 targets for 670 yards with three touchdowns over 15 video games this season. He additionally rushed for 136 yards and a rating on 42 carries (3.2 yards per try).
Wagoner speculated that the 49ers may solely have the ability to get “a day three draft decide and maybe one other late-round decide” in return for Samuel’s companies. In the meantime, Lynch might be trying to avoid wasting cash earlier than he locks quarterback Brock Purdy down by way of what might be an costly contract extension.
Historical past exhibits that groups usually keep away from giving up any property for a participant on monitor to hit the open market and will signal a one-year “show it” contract. With quite a few offensive weapons set to be obtainable throughout free company and the upcoming draft, Lynch might in the end discover he has no different alternative however to launch Samuel subsequent month.
