Deebo finally hit the gold mine.
After an offseason of uncertainty, Samuel inked a three-year, $71.55 million deal to stay with the Niners.
Samuel’s contract extension closes the door on what was one of the preeminent sagas of the off-season. Samuel played like an All-Pro player last year. Now, he’ll get paid like one.
With Sunday’s announcement, Samuel became the latest wideout to get a bag. It’s been a game-changing few months for the position, with Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp and others all signing mammoth deals.
MORE: Deebo Samuel contract details
So, how does Samuel's shiny new contract compare to his contemporaries? The Sporting News tells you everything you need to know about Deebo's payday, as well as what that could mean for the next crop of wideouts:
How does Deebo Samuel's new deal compare to other wideouts in the NFC West?
Deebo got PAID. But so did a lot of other NFC West wideouts. Kupp was one of the notable names to add some zeroes in his bank account, inking a three-year deal to stay with the Rams. Then came the Seahawks' DK Metcalf and Samuel, soon after.
Here's how Samuel's deal compares to other NFC West receivers.
Deandre Hopkins, Cardinals
While D-Hop is slated to miss the first six games of the 2022 season due to suspension, he's still getting a pretty penny.
Hopkins is making $27.25 million per season, the highest total among NFC West wide receivers. Although that suspension will eat into his payday a bit — he'll miss out on half a dozen gameday checks — Hopkins will be sleeping well.
Hopkins' deal ensures he makes $3.4 million more than Samuel in 2022.
Cooper Kupp, Rams
Kupp is arguably the NFC West's best wide receiver. He gets paid like it, bringing in $26.7 million dollars, according to Spotrac. That's unsurprising given Kupp's historic 2021; the Rams WR reeled in 145 catches for 1,947 yards last year before earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
By comparison, Samuel is making $23.85 million in 2022, $2.85 million fewer than Kupp.
DK Metcalf, Seahawks
When it comes to physically gifted receivers in the NFC West, is there one more prominent than DK Metcalf? The burly Seattle pass-catcher opted to hold-in at the start, just like Samuel. And he got his bag, too. Samuel signed a three-year, $72 million extension to stay with the Seahawks two days before Samuel, setting the stage for Samuel to receive his offer shortly thereafter.
On the contract front, Metcalf and Samuel's deals are very similar. Samuel got three years at $71.55 million. His $23.85 million average annual value (AAV) is just a hair lower than Metcalf's $24 million, reflecting both of the receivers' standing around the league.
MORE: DK Metcalf contract details
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
Tyler Lockett is one of the league's elite speed threats. However, he's lagging behind when it comes to salary, at least when compared to some of the NFC West's other pass-catching talents.
Lockett will make $17.25 million in 2022. That's $6.5 million fewer than Samuel. We'll see how Lockett and Metcalf get on catching balls from Drew Lock instead of Russell Wilson in 2022.
NFC West highest-paid receivers
All contract figures come from Spotrac
| Player | Team | 2022 Salary |
| Deandre Hopkins | Cardinals | $27.25 million |
| Cooper Kupp | Rams | $26.70 million |
| DK Metcalf | Seahawks | $24 million |
| Deebo Samuel | 49ers | $23.85 million |
| Tyler Lockett | Seahawks | $17.25 million |
How does Deebo Samuel's new deal compare to other wide receivers who signed deals this offseason?
The 2021-22 season was, in many ways, the year of the wide receiver. Now, there's a host of wideouts getting paid serious bucks heading into 2022-23.
Here's how Samuel's deal ranks with some other wideouts who inked contracts in this year's offseason:
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
There's not many people that can stop Cheetah on the field. His salary seems to reflect that, too. Hill signed a massive four-year, $120 million deal to take his talents to South Beach. That's an AAV of $30 million, the highest-total in NFL history.
Hill will reel in $6.15 million more than Samuel in 2022.
Davante Adams, Raiders
Tae is perhaps the league's best route-runner. Now, he's back with his college buddy, Derek Carr, and looking to light the gridiron up in Las Vegas.
Adams bet on himself, spurning the comfort of Aaron Rodgers and Lambeau for the Vegas heat. But he was more than compensated for his decision,; Adams' contract carries an AAV of $28 million, making him the second-most valuable wide receiver in the league. Compared to Samuel, Adams is bringing in $4.15 million more.
MORE: NFL's 25 highest-paid players in 2022
A.J. Brown, Eagles
Brown flew north this offseason, getting dealt to Philly on Draft night. He promptly signed a four-year, $100 million deal, making him the fifth-highest paid WR in the league.
He'll be making $25 million in 2022, just $1.15 million more than Samuel.
Stefon Diggs, Bills
The Maryland alum got his bread this offseason, inking new terms to stay with the Bills. With his new contract, Diggs will rack up $24 million AAV, slightly more than Samuel and level with Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders
There wasn't much to like about the Commanders' 2021 season. But one shining light was McLaurin, who cemented his status as one of the league's top receiving threats.
McLaurin was rewarded for his impressive services this offseason, signing a contract that sees him earn $22,788,000 in 2022. That's $1,062,000 lower than Samuel.
Biggest WR deals this offseason
Here are the top-15 biggest deals wide receivers earned in the 2022 offseason.
(All figures provided by Spotrac)
| Player | Team | 2022 Salary |
| Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | $30 million |
| Davante Adams | Raiders | $28 million |
| Cooper Kupp | Rams | $26.70 million |
| AJ Brown | Eagles | $25 million |
| DK Metcalf | Seahawks | $24 million |
| Stefon Diggs | Bills | $24 million |
| Deebo Samuel | 49ers | $23.85 million |
| Terry McLaurin | Commanders | $22.788 million |
| DJ Moore | Panthers | $20.628 million |
| Mike Williams | Chargers | $20 million |
| Chris Godwin | Buccaneers | $20 million |
| Brandin Cooks | Texans | $19.882 million |
| Kenny Golladay | Giants | $18 million |
| Christian Kirk | Jaguars | $18 million |
| Hunter Renfrow | Raiders | $16 million |
WRs who can ink new deals in 2023
With most of the game's biggest names at wide receiver inking huge deals to stay with their teams, there aren't a heap of wideouts who look destined to ink major deals in 2023.
One name to look out for is Michael Thomas. The Saints wideout is one of football's finest players when healthy, but has featured in just five games over the past two seasons. If Thomas can re-establish himself as one of the game's best receivers snagging passes from Jameis Winston, he could potentially receive a favorable extension.
Thomas is 29, older than many of the receivers who just got extensions. However, Adams inked his latest deal as a 29-year old. Hill is 28, the same age Hopkins was when he got his salary bump from the Cards. The opportunity is there for Thomas to get some serious change if he has another All-Pro caliber year.
