Overview
- Samuel remains an unsigned free agent as camps open and says he is not retiring, telling viewers on his YouTube channel that he has "three, four good years left" and is ready when a team calls.
- San Francisco has largely moved on after adding Mike Evans and Christian Kirk and drafting De'Zhaun Stribling, which makes a 49ers reunion unlikely unless an injury or clear need emerges.
- Former teammates George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk have publicly lobbied for a return, but analysts argue re-signing Samuel could crowd out younger receivers and upset roster balance.
- Media coverage highlights Samuel's post‑2021 decline — 72 catches for 727 yards and a career-low 10.1 yards per reception in 2025 — as a key reason teams want a cheaper, short-term or incentive-heavy contract.
- Several outlets list speculative fits such as the Chargers, Raiders, Colts, Rams and Chiefs, but those landing spots are unconfirmed and any deal will likely depend on roster need or cap movement.