The San Francisco 49ers and star receiver Deebo Samuel have agreed to a three-year, $71.55-million contract extension with $58.1 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The new deal has a maximum value of $73.5 million, Schefter adds.
The extension ends speculation about Samuel's home for the 2022 season after the receiving and rushing hybrid weapon requested a trade from the 49ers on Apr. 20. The team proceeded to reject multiple offers for Samuel.
The 2021 first-team All-Pro wideout stayed away from the team for the voluntary portion of the offseason but reported for mandatory minicamp in June and training camp last week.
But Samuel was "holding in'' and hadn't taken part in any practices as his representatives finalized the latest rich wide receiver contract.
Samuel becomes the 14th receiver to receive a contract with an average annual value of at least $20 million, with 11 of those deals being signed this year.
After an outstanding second half to his 2019 rookie season, Samuel missed the majority of 2020 due to foot and hamstring injuries, appearing in seven total games and starting only five.
The 26-year-old had a breakout 2021 campaign, recording 77 receptions, 1,405 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns with league-leading 18.2 yards per reception. Factoring in his production on the ground, Samuel put up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns.
Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is the only Niners receiver ever to gain more yards from scrimmage in a season than Samuel did last year.
Samuel has career totals of 167 receptions, 2,598 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. He's also amassed 81 rushing attempts for 550 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Getting Samuel back on the practice field was a priority for the 49ers so he could get to work with new starting quarterback Trey Lance. After drafting Lance third overall last year, the Niners are turning the offence over to him in 2022 and want as much time as possible to build a rapport between Lance and Samuel.
-With files from the Associated Press
