Timeline of Deebo Samuels reunion with 49ers comes with Kyle Shanahan twist

Given the early injuries to come out of the San Francisco 49ers’ training camp, it appeared as though the team frantically signed Deebo Samuel to a one-year contract on Thursday evening.However, the 49ers and Samuel had been talking about a reunion “all along,” according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.“The 49ers had told him they were interested in bringing him back to San Francisco for weeks,” Schefter said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday morning.“There were actual conversations that occurred between Kyle Shanahan and Deebo Samuel.”Schefter added that Samuel was exploring other potential offers he could get during free agency, but when the offers did not materialize, the conversations with San Francisco heated up.Schefter also relayed that the 49ers’ concerns about third-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall also factored into the team’s decision to pursue a reunion with Samuel.Before the deal came together, the 49ers received the news that Pearsall could have season-ending knee surgery for a PCL injury he had last year.Samuel’s best years of football happened under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

He posted 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns through his first six seasons in San Francisco.Shanahan utilized Samuel as a gadget-type player who would spend time lined up at wide receiver and would also be placed in the backfield as a running back.“We’ve seen what San Francisco can do with Deebo, how the 49ers can utilize him; he’s dangerous in their offense, and I would imagine be a factor again this year,” Schefter said.“It really worked out for both sides.

That’s where he should be playing, …because nobody else stepped up and signed him, and they were there for each other when the 49ers needed to add another receiver last night.”Samuel’s return to the 49ers comes a year after he was a member of the Washington Commanders.Despite playing alongside Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Da...