It was a good news-bad news day for the San Francisco 49ers. The good news is that Deebo Samuel showed up for minicamp, but the bad news is that he stayed on the sideline.
Although Samuel showed up, he didn’t participate in practice, according to reports. However, he did do some running on the sideline.
Many people thought Samuel wouldn’t show up for camp at all since he demanded to be traded if he didn’t get a new contract with the 49ers. According to Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan, however, he thinks the team and Samuel will eventually work things out.
“I love our relationship with Deebo and hopefully that will help us be able to solve this contractually before we get to the season,” he said.
Shanahan said he doubts Deebo Samuel will practice this week, said it's not smart for him or the team
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) June 7, 2022
Samuel has apparently kept in touch with a few of his teammates this offseason, one of them being offensive tackle Trent Williams, who spoke on the situation.
“This is his business, this is his dream, this is his career, I’m definitely not the one to overstep,” Williams said. “I try to offer advice if he asks me for some, which he has and we’ve had good, quality talks and I think that he’s grabbing the situation by the horns now and showing how mature he is by showing up and I think that goes a long way.”
The reaction to Samuel’s return has been interesting. Some think his return to camp is important while others think he only did it because he might be fined by the NFL.
It has been a long road for the #49ers and Deebo Samuel. But his appearance at minicamp is noteworthy. https://t.co/OguQsGBJ8W
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 7, 2022
NFL players under contract who miss minicamp are subject to $95,877 in fines. https://t.co/3TZnRvPl9h
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 7, 2022
Samuel showing up was also seen by some as a good-faith move by him.
One of the most important things about Deebo Samuel reporting to #49ers minicamp: gives them a chance to sit down and talk in person. Kyle Shanahan at draft: "I think it's a little bit easier when you're dealing with people without screens and phones in front of you."
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) June 7, 2022
"I think what the 49ers have done is told Deebo Samuel we are not gonna use you as a RB.. that could speak louder than a new contract" ~@RapSheet#PMSLive #FTTB pic.twitter.com/gdbcpnY9ax
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 7, 2022
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