"I have zero confidence that either side would embrace or agree to it," Kawakami admits.
He's probably correct. The idea doesn't sound very practical for the 49ers. San Francisco reportedly has no intention of trading Samuel unless blown away by a trade offer. It would be shocking if the team opted for a deal that allows him to walk away in 2023 without receiving anything in return for one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the league.
That's not the point of this article, though. In breaking down the eroding situation in Santa Clara, Kawakami shared some noteworthy tidbits. First, the longtime scribe and editor-in-chief wrote that there is no way the 49ers are willing to top the record-breaking deal that Tyreek Hill received from the Miami Dolphins after being traded from the Kansas City Chiefs.
"In fact, there's a strong chance, from what I've heard, that the 49ers are very solid about offering less than $25 million per/$72.2 million guaranteed. Maybe substantially less," wrote Kawakami.
That sounds reasonable. It's unlikely the 49ers are willing to make Samuel the NFL's top-paid wideout when the team, per Kawakami, has doubts about the receiver's longevity given the way he plays. Admittedly, that is head coach Kyle Shanahan's fault. The 49ers' play-caller didn't just have Samuel line up at receiver. He had the receiver line up at running back too.
Samuel was successful in that role, setting an NFL single-season record for the most rushing touchdowns by a wide receiver with eight. However, playing both positions takes a toll on the body. What makes Samuel so valuable and unique is also what may be giving the 49ers pause to commit so much of their financial future to the now-26-year-old player.
"I'm told that the 49ers have some doubts about Samuel maintaining this kind of value deep into a long-term contract," Kawakami shared. "He came to camp overweight in his second season. He's had some injuries."
Samuel's breakout 2021 campaign is hard to ignore, though. He amassed 1,770 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns.
So the question is: What were the 49ers willing to offer Samuel? What has it that has the receiver preferring a change of scenery rather than sticking with the only NFL team for which he has ever played? Kawakami has some thoughts on that.
Early chatter out of Santa Clara painted a picture of the 49ers being content with paying Samuel something in the range of $20 million annually. That would have made him among the top-paid players at the position. Then Hill and Davante Adams reset the market earning $30 million and $28 million annually, respectively.
"I believe the 49ers eventually would've been willing to pay Deebo $21-22 million a year and a guarantee in the $40-50 million range," Kawakami wrote before noting that San Francisco could view Samuel's future with some skepticism.
Again, Samuel's versatility—the same versatility that the 49ers relied on in 2021—is casting doubt regarding his longevity. If the 49ers hope to repair their relationship with Samuel, they'll need to rethink what they are willing to pay him. Otherwise, they may have to try to get what they can now, while the player's stock is at an all-time high.
Click here to read Kawakami's insightful feature for The Athletic (subscription required).