Richard Sherman on Deebo Samuel contract talks: ‘It’s getting silly’

Former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman gave his thoughts on Deebo Samuel and the contract situation he’s having with the Niners right now.

Few, if anyone, outside the San Francisco 49ers front office know exactly what led to the hostile standoff with All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel and his desire to be traded, which included him telling the Niners not to even bother offering him a contract extension.

With the 2022 NFL Draft just hours away now and all kinds of speculation questioning whether or not San Francisco will trade its best offensive weapon by the time the draft starts, it truly is anyone’s guess.

Money could solve a lot of things, of course, and that’s certainly part of the discussion. But, just as the mystery behind why the current situation has devolved so much, no one truly knows what is happening behind closed doors. General manager John Lynch shied away from questions about it during his most recent presser, and the rest of the league seems to be spewing out takes more than facts.

At times like these, it sure helps to look at the takes from players who have been in these situations before.

Such as former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman.

Richard Sherman feels Deebo Samuel has taken 49ers negotiations too personally

Sherman has acted as his own agent for some time now, so he’d have the direct insight as to how these negotiations can go down, specifically from his time with the Niners between 2018 and 2020.

This is important, because he also worked with Lynch and chief contracts negotiator Paraag Marathe, understanding their negotiating tactics.

On the latest Richard Sherman Podcast, the multiyear first-team All-Pro thought Samuel, who has representation and doesn’t serve as his own agent, might have taken those tactics a little too personally:

"Do I think that Paraag and some of the tactics that he uses to negotiate may have rubbed Deebo and other people the wrong way? Sure. I’m sure. I think he thinks his value is somewhere, and I think the 49ers agree about his value. But I think throughout the negotiation process, there’s haggling. There’s back and forth. And I think he’s taken that a little more personal than other people have.It’s getting silly."

Sherman also pointed out how fans need to “relax” with the whole discussion point, noting how Samuel is still very much under contract for 2022, and there’s no need to speculate and overanalyze each social media post the wide receiver is making.

Probably a valid point.

Richard Sherman still feels Deebo Samuel stays with 49ers

As noted in the above comment, Sherman seems to think San Francisco holds the same kind of value for Samuel as he likely feels he’s worth.

At least it’s close, in that regard.

As to whether or not the 49ers will simply let Samuel go by the way of a trade, Sherman isn’t buying it.

“I can’t see them letting him walk,” Sherman also said. “I can’t see them trading him away, I can’t see him doing anything but lining up for the San Francisco 49ers and playing football.”

Read More: Predicting what 49ers could get in a Deebo Samuel trade

The Niners have repeatedly said they’ll entertain serious offers for anyone over the years, and that’s been a staple of Lynch’s tenure. However, especially in Samuel’s case, it would have to be a blockbuster offer San Francisco simply can’t refuse.

With the 2022 draft kicking off on April 28, those offers will have to come through awfully soon if the 49ers are ultimately going to budge.