Reporter doubts 49ers’ Deebo Samuel will report for start of training camp?

San Francisco 49ers dual-threat offensive weapon and All-Pro selection Deebo Samuel recently took to social media to suggest he could be part of “the best returning” wide receiver duo in the NFL for the 2022 season. 

The problem, of course, is that Samuel allegedly hasn’t rescinded his offseason trade request and remains in the final year of his rookie contract. While he attended the club’s mandatory minicamp last month, the fact that the two sides haven’t yet come to terms on an extension leaves his future very much up in the air. 

Per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone and Tzvi Machlin of The Spun, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington offered an update on the Samuel situation during an appearance on “SportsCenter.” 

“He did show up to mandatory minicamp, but that was mostly, I’m told, to avoid the fines that would’ve come with it,” Darlington explained. “Deebo and the 49ers have some reconciliation that they need to go through when it comes to their relationship. 

“The 49ers want to make this work. They have no interest whatsoever in trading Deebo, but Samuel still wants — No. 1 a new contract and No. 2, to be traded. He’s clearly not that happy with the situation with the 49ers, but unless it comes in the form of a new contract, it’s hard for me to fathom Deebo Samuel on the field to start training camp.”

Samuel recorded 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards and 14 total offensive touchdowns last season. It’s been reported he prefers to be used primarily as a wide receiver who can feature in occasional “gadget plays” moving forward. 

49ers general manager John Lynch declared on multiple occasions this spring he’s not keen on trading Samuel, and head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters during minicamp that the franchise’s relationship with the 26-year-old has “always been alright.”

San Francisco veterans are due to report for training camp on July 26.