The San Francisco 49ers' contract for wide receiver Deebo Samuel includes incentives that highlight the team's strategy to deploy him in a versatile, "jack-of-all-trades" capacity. Samuel, who has spent his entire NFL career with the 49ers since being drafted in 2019, has agreed to a one-year deal with the team.
According to contract details, Samuel's base salary is $3.27 million, with an additional $490,000 signing bonus. His potential earnings can reach up to $7 million through various performance-based bonuses and incentives.
Several of these incentives are tied to Samuel's combined scrimmage yards, which include both receiving and rushing statistics. He is set to receive a $200,000 bonus if his total scrimmage yards fall between 600 and 802 for the season. An additional $450,000 bonus is available if he achieves 803 or more scrimmage yards. These yardage bonuses are doubled if the 49ers qualify for the postseason.
Touchdown performance also carries significant bonuses. Samuel can earn $200,000 for scoring five or six touchdowns during the regular season, and $450,000 for seven or more touchdowns. Similar to the yardage incentives, these touchdown bonuses are doubled in the event of a playoff berth for the team.
The contract also outlines bonuses for Samuel's contribution to special teams, specifically kick returns. He is eligible for a $250,000 bonus if he ranks 10th or higher in average yards per kick return, provided he has at least 20 returns. This special teams bonus also doubles if the 49ers make the playoffs.
Furthermore, Samuel can earn another $250,000 bonus if he participates in 68% or more of the 49ers' offensive snaps during the season, with this amount also doubling if the team reaches the postseason. This stipulation underscores the team's intention to have him on the field frequently.
These contract provisions indicate that Samuel's total compensation for the upcoming season is heavily influenced by his performance and his ability to contribute across different facets of the game. The inclusion of postseason bonuses incentivizes both individual success and team advancement.