Deebo Samuel's contract reveals just how badly 49ers want the 2021 version back

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel sure made a lot of money off his one-and-only All-Pro campaign back in 2021 when he netted a whopping 1,770 all-purpose yards and 14 combined touchdowns.

True, Deebo has never quite been at that level since, but the reputation continued, including during his one and only season with the Washington Commanders in 2025.

Now back with the Niners, who are dealing with their own questions at wide receiver, sentiments about Samuel circle largely back to his 2021 campaign, even as a repeat of those is about as unlikely as it gets.

That said, San Francisco's one-year contract with the dual-threat weapon is a pretty good indicator it'd love for him to get back to that version as much as possible.

Deebo Samuel's 49ers contract indicates just how much they miss 2021

A one-year deal for a 30-year-old veteran who sat for awfully long in free agency is no surprise, and the 49ers know fully well their roster is significantly older—the offense, on average, is currently the oldest in the NFL.

Yet the details about the contract go far beyond the mere $$3.27 million base salary, plus the $490,000 signing bonus.

As shared by the contracts site Spotrac, there are some hefty incentives for Deebo over the course of 2026, ones that pretty much allow him to be an all-encompassing weapon, including in the return game on special teams:

For added context, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco expanded with the following:

Samuel will receive a $200,000 bonus if his combined rushing and receiving yards are 600 to 802 on the season. He will receive $450,000 if he achieves 803 scrimmage yards or more. He will earn double those amounts if the 49ers make the playoffs.

Samuel will make an additional $200,000 if he scores five or six touchdowns in the regular season. If he scores seven or more touchdowns, he’ll receive a $450,000 incentive. Again, those figures will be doubled if the 49ers make the playoffs.

Samuel will receive a $250,000 bonus for the season if he ranks 10th or better in average yards per kick return (minimum 20 returns). He’ll receive another $250,000 if he meets that incentive and the 49ers make the postseason.

Samuel also is scheduled to make $250,000 if he plays 68 percent or more of the 49ers’ offensive snaps. Again, if he qualifies and the 49ers make the playoffs, he’ll make another $250,000.

Samuel would also earn $100,000 if he makes the Pro Bowl as a starter or backup on the initial ballot.

Putting it bluntly, the Niners want Samuel to impact nearly every element of their game, aside from on the defensive side of the ball, of course.

This was the 2021 version. In many ways, San Francisco rode Samuel to a postseason berth and all the way to the NFC Championship game that season, not afraid of using him both as a rusher and receiving threat, and Deebo was even counted on to make plays in the return game, too.

While those kinds of results shouldn't be expected at the same level again, the fact the 49ers have so many multipurpose incentives built into the deal pretty much indicate they want him to be that versatile piece once more.

As vintage 2021 as possible.

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