Deebo Samuel will not have to hunt for a new team in the winter after all. Despite rumors of the San Francisco 49ers considering moving the great receiver, general manager John Lynch confirmed that the 28-year-old would return to the organization in 2025.

 

Lynch was asked about Samuel’s future with the team during his Jan. 8 media presser and immediately shut down any trade or release rumors.

“Deebo is under contract,” Lynch told reporters on Wednesday. “Yeah, [I expect him back]. He’s a fantastic player and has done a ton for this club and we’re not in the business of allowing excellent guys out of here.”

Samuel is coming off a career-worst season in 2024 that resulted in just 670 receiving yards, 136 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. He appeared in 15 of the 49ers’ 17 games but was a constant on the injury list while suffering with drops and consistency all season.

The previous Pro Bowler’s fall in performance resulted in many fans speculating about his future decline, resulting in the release speculations. With the 49ers attempting to make room to extend Brock Purdy in the offseason, Samuel’s $15 million cap charge in 2025 could be considered a problem.

The 2025 season will be the final of Samuel’s current contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason, the summer following his 30th birthday.

Aside from Purdy, the 49ers will have several other roster moves to address in the offseason. Several significant players will hit free agency within a matter of months, many of whom Lynch will prioritize retaining.

 

Arguably the most noteworthy will be great cornerback and defensive captain Charvarius Ward, whose contract expires in 2024. However, Ward’s predicament has become especially personal after he acknowledged that he had a hard time living in California after his daughter’s death.

Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Aaron Banks, Elijah Mitchell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Isaac Yiadom, and Tashaun Gipson Sr. will all hit free agency, among others. Additionally, numerous players who are contracted through 2025 could be traded to create cap room, including George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk.

 

San Francisco is one year removed from handing out big deals to multiple other key players on its roster. After a lengthy summer of negotiating, Brandon Aiyuk secured the highest deal, guaranteeing him $120 million over the next four seasons. Star left tackle Trent Williams recently renegotiated his $82 million deal that lasts through 2026.