Deebo Samuel’s trade request just ahead of the NFL draft threw a significant wrench into the 49ers’ offseason. San Francisco didn’t trade the All-Pro receiver during the draft and paved the way to at least extend the time he’s on the roster. While a post-draft trade could happen, linebacker Fred Warner is confident the two sides will come together to keep Samuel in red and gold.
Warner on Friday was on Twitter Spaces with NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero and weighed in on the ongoing Samuel saga. The linebacker isn’t in the front office, but he has a finger on the pulse of what Samuel means to San Francisco.
“I know that this team knows its value in Deebo Samuel,” Warner said. “I know that Deebo loves the team that he plays for. I know the type of teammate, the type of player he is in that locker room, the amount of love that we have for him, he has for us.”
Thanks to his in-depth knowledge of Samuel’s impact on the field and in the locker room, Warner had a lot of faith in the front office to work something out with their star receiver.
“So, I think it’s just a matter of time before something gets done,” Warner said. “I’m here for him, and I know we all care a lot about him over here in this building and ya, that’s all I got to say about it.”
Warner has been through the contract negotiation process with the 49ers and also had to wait until July to get his deal. He, like Samuel, became a first-time All-Pro the year before he was eligible for his first extension. The 49ers wound up paying Warner top-of-market money. They may not go to the top of the market with Samuel, but it’s clear based on their rejection of trade offers during the draft that they want to work out a deal with their receiver.
It may not happen on the timeline Samuel wants it to happen on, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Warner proven right and for Samuel to go into the 2022 campaign with a sizable contract extension freshly signed.
