There was a lot of offseason drama surrounding Samuel heading into April's draft. The team's do-it-all wideout awaited a contract extension while watching the wide receiver market explode with offseason trades and new deals for his peers. Then, ahead of the draft, it was reported that a disgruntled Samuel had requested to be traded.
The draft came and went, and Samuel remained a Forty-Niner. His options dwindled as the 49ers made it clear they had no intention of trading their best offensive weapon.
"We haven't traded him, and I'd be a fool to trade him. So yes, Deebo will be part of the 49ers this season," general manager John Lynch said last week.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and Lynch's 49ers typically deal with contract extensions later in the offseason, most being finalized in July or early August. That might have made waiting his turn tough for Samuel as he watched several other NFL receivers earn big paydays.
There was some question about whether Samuel would opt to attend minicamp or accept the possibility of being fined for remaining away from the 49ers. In May, at the start of organized team activities, Shanahan said he expected Samuel to be among the veteran players in attendance for the mandatory minicamp.
Samuel is coming off a breakout season. He contributed 1,770 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns last season, helping the 49ers reach the NFC Championship Game for the second time in three seasons. Samuels' 1,405 receiving yards led the team, and his team-leading eight rushing touchdowns were the most ever by an NFL wide receiver.
Rapoport adds that defensive end Nick Bosa is also expected to attend this week's minicamp. Of course, that was expected. Bosa was not taking part in voluntarily organized team activities. He was training away from the 49ers with his brother, Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The 49ers' Bosa, like Samuel, is eligible for a contract extension.
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