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It was never in doubt whether Deebo Samuel was going to cash out now that he’s eligible for an extension. The Jaguars’ deal for wide receiver Christian Kirk brought into focus though just what Samuel’s deal may look like.
The Jags signing a mid-level wide receiver typically wouldn’t move the needle for San Francisco. There’s a reason we’re not talking about Zay Jones, who Jacksonville also signed. The reason the Kirk contract matters is because the Jaguars gave him a four-year $72 million deal with $37 million fully guaranteed.
Kirk has been a decent player for the Cardinals, but he’s not close to the player Samuel turned into this year. In four years in Arizona Kirk averaged 59 catches for 726 yards and four touchdowns per season. He had a career year in 2021 with 77 receptions and 982 yards with five touchdowns.
Samuel meanwhile was putting together the most unique season ever by a wide receiver with 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns. His work as a pass catcher was enough to earn him a big deal, but his expanded role as a running back will elevate his value into a previously unforeseen realm.
The 49ers were probably hoping to land him for something in the $18-$20 million range. Now with Kirk landing a deal worth $18 million annually we’ll probably see a starting point of $20 million with the deal perhaps creeping up closer to $22 or $23 million annually, which would make Samuel one of the two or three highest-paid receivers in the NFL.