Overview
- The 30‑year‑old wide receiver is still a free agent as NFL training camps open Wednesday, July 22, 2026, with no contract reported despite widespread speculation.
- George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk publicly encouraged a San Francisco return, stirring reunion talk based on Samuel’s familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
- Analyst Emmanuel Acho has argued a reunion would disrupt roster balance and special‑teams coverage, and Samuel responded on social media by calling Acho a 'mascot.'
- San Francisco reshaped its receiver room this offseason by signing Mike Evans and Christian Kirk and drafting De’Zhaun Stribling, a set of moves analysts say limits meaningful snaps for an added veteran.
- Multiple teams including the Steelers, Chargers, Raiders, Colts and Rams have been named as possible fits in reporting that frames interest as speculation and suggests any deal would likely be short‑term and incentive‑based; Samuel says he has 'three, four good years left' and is ready to play.