49ers’ Shanahan explains why he loves Deebo, says Samuel’s deal has no use restrictions

SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan captured in one sound bite exactly why the 49ers have locked Deebo Samuel into a pricey contract extension.

Here is what Shanahan said Monday morning, before the first practice of training camp with shoulder pads and presumably Samuel, an All-Pro wide receiver who agreed Sunday to a new deal with the team (three years, $73.5 million maximum):

“My favorite thing about Deebo is how much he inspires people,” Shanahan began. “He inspires me more than almost any player I’ve watched on a field, the way he runs the ball, whether you’re handing it to him, whether you’re throwing it to him, whether he’s catching it on a kick.

“These are things you don’t have to talk him into doing. It’s stuff he usually talks you into doing, because Deebo loves playing football and he loves helping us win.

“That’s what everybody sees on Sunday when you guys watch him on TV, and that’s why this country really loves Deebo.”

With that, Shanahan debunked one narrative from over the past few months: whether Samuel requested a trade in April because he did not want to be used as a running back, a position where he excelled last season (eight rushing touchdowns) but one that exposes him to a great risk of injury.

Shanahan said there is no clause in Samuel’s extension outlining how he’ll be used, and Shanahan said that role will continue to vary based on the 49ers’ opponent each week.

“We are overjoyed to have come together with Deebo to keep him with the 49ers for years to come,” said general manager John Lynch said in a team release announcing the deal. “Deebo has the rare ability to not only play at a unique level but to inspire his teammates with the way he plays. He is a special player that embodies ‘will meeting skill’. We’re proud to move forward with him as an integral leader and foundational piece of our team.”

Samuel was not made available for comment before practice and hasn’t spoken to media yet this camp. Alas, there’s been no definitive word yet from Samuel about why he might have wanted off the team that drafted him in 2019 (second round) out of his native South Carolina. Shanahan cited the time apart after last season’s loss in the NFC Championship Game.

“When you separate from each other, not him and I but just him and the whole building, you go away and know the big decisions are coming, things happen,” Shanahan said. “As you got back close to minicamp and we’re able to hang around each other, it was pretty obvious everyone was the same people we’ve always been. We just had to get back together and start communicating more.”

Whether the coach promised his offensive catalyst a lesser role at running back, Shanahan would not say, though he did relay that he obviously would have told him if he was converting him to a full-time running back.

“Deebo and I talked about a lot of things. I know how he feels and he knows how I feel,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan said he personally figured Samuel’s deal would get done Sunday during the 49ers’ first off day during training camp. Samuel reported last Tuesday with his teammates then ran on the side for conditioning purposes during practices.

“It was awesome to get Deebo’s deal done,” Shanahan added. “I”m just pumped they got it done. I know how pumped he is and how pumped we are and I’m excited to have him at practice.”

#49ers announce Deebo Samuel deal as practice begins

Lynch: "We are overjoyed to have come together with Deebo to keep him with the 49ers for years to come. Deebo has the rare ability to not only play at a unique level but to inspire his teammates with the way he plays." pic.twitter.com/UxHVZXpu7D

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 1, 2022

This could be the final contract Samuel signs. His next contract might be too high for the 49ers, or his body may be too worn down from the next few seasons. It’s a gamble he’s willing to take in an NFL world where the salary cap will climb.

Even though Samuel is signed, about 40 other players are entering their contract year, including starters Jimmie Ward, Mike McGlinchey, Emmanuel Moseley, Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair.

To brace for that next wave of homegrown-player extensions, the 49ers set a plan in motion last year in acquiring a cheaper quarterback through the draft in Trey Lance.

“That’s one of the decisions we made last year. We saw some of the guys coming forward,” Shanahan said. “We knew where we were at at quarterback and knew that’s something that could help us a lot, solve these problems with guys who’ve played well and who deserve to get paid this much.

“We still have got more guys. There’s lots on this team we don’t want to lose so hopefully we can keep working stuff out.”

Over the past four months, some were skeptical of a Samuel deal, seeing how he scrubbed his social media of 49ers mentions and confirmed to ESPN that he sought a trade, which effectively was shot down once he didn’t draw any enticing offer before the NFL Draft.

“There wasn’t much doubt for a while,” Shanahan said. “We have a great relationship. This stuff is always hard. It’s a big business with a lot of money involved.”

Samuel’s contract includes $41 million fully guaranteed upon Monday morning’s signing, and $58.167 million by April 1, 2023, according to ProFootballTalk.com

“What I’ve learned throughout my career, especially when there’s big decisions coming, if you pay attention, you’ll go crazy, and if you take everything at 100 percent, you’ll take things very personal,” Shanahan said. “That’s why I pride myself on: Just talk to the person. What usually comes out of the person’s mouth is what I hang my hat on and that’s kind of all I go with. I only listen to the communications I have with the individual.”

NOW ABOUT THOSE PICKS

The 49ers went into Monday’s first padded practice with their offense having thrown 10 interceptions over the previous three sessions.

Lance had interceptions on three straight days. Backup Nate Sudfeld was picked off twice Saturday by safety Tarvarious Moore.

Shanahan has noticed of course, but he’s not losing sleep over it.

“I just don’t overreact to them,” Shanahan said. “It’s part of camp. You can’t block D-linemen without pads on. I don’t like just sitting there and curling up to a fetal position and letting it go. There’s been a number of tips out there. Sometimes guys don’t break the route off the right way.”

TRUSTING DEMECO

In his second season as 49ers defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans gives Shanahan the comfort of dealing reconfiguring the offense to the specifications of Lance without obsessing over the other side of the ball.

Ryans, who replaced Robert Saleh last season after serving as linebackers coach, turned down an opportunity to interview for the Vikings’ head coaching job in the offseason.

“I know what DeMeco is made of. I know how smart he is. I know if something is off I’m not going to have to point it out to him,” Shanahan said. “I know he’s in there working on it. That gives me a lot of patience to know I constantly have to be looking at something. I look at everything, but when you trust someone to do their job, it’s much easier to focus on other areas.

“I trust DeMeco as much as any coach I’ve ever worked with.”

NOTES

— Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (biceps) went on injured reserve, and his roster spot was filled by the signing of Akeem Spence.

Staff writer Jerry McDonald contributed to this report