Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel angled for the team to hand him an extension over the last few years.
Ultimately, a decline in play and a lack of availability led the organization to trade him and his $17.55 million expiring salary to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick.
Samuel was initially cordial, posting on his X: “49ers know where I stand with them and it’s nothing but love. Love [general manager] John [Lynch] and [head coach] Kyle Shanahan to death no bad blood no way shape or form. They know I’m more than appreciative of everything they done for me as a player and a man nothing but love.”
This week, Samuel seemingly changed his tone with a semi-cryptic Instagram story. The former 49ers star posted a photo of himself alongside current San Francisco starting quarterback Brock Purdy with the caption “Get what you deserve family.”
Purdy was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and therefore makes pennies compared to his NFL counterparts: he’ll earn just $985,000 in 2025.
He is able to sign an extension with the 49ers this summer that could surpass $45 million annually and put himself amongst the highest-paid quarterbacks.
Dallas Cowboys star edge rusher Micah Parsons responded on X to an Adam Schefter tweet announcing San Francisco released DE Leonard Floyd, writing “no more rookie QB contract lol welcome to reality.”
Purdy, still just 25 years old, was a 2023 Pro Bowl selection and holds a sparkling 23-13 career record as a starter. He also boasts a 4-2 playoff record and led the team to Super Bowl LVIII.