Kyle Shanahan says there’s no lingering problem between the 49ers and Deebo Samuel, and the head coach made it clear the old contract drama is in the rearview now that Samuel is back for another stint.
Shanahan pointed to how close their relationship has always been, and he said the tension around Samuel’s negotiations was tied to the business side of things rather than anything personal. He explained that during the 2022 OTAs, he even went to Samuel’s house on the eighth OTA day to tell him the whole thing was “just BS.”
Shanahan said Samuel reported to minicamp, they spent a good summer together, and the deal got done on the first day back at training camp. His view was that the issue was settled once they were face to face again.
In Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford is looking at the Rams’ roster and seeing a team that can make a real Super Bowl push. He said being around so many talented players on both sides of the ball has made camp feel like “a blessing,” and he sounded energized by the competition every day.
Stafford also stressed that the names on the roster won’t do the job by themselves. He said teams, players and groups win games, not pieces of paper, and he echoed Sean McVay’s point that the Rams have a potentially high ceiling. Stafford said the bigger challenge is raising the floor so the team can still win even when he’s a little off or when the defense has an uneven day.
McVay, though, isn’t ready to lean into the hype. He said, “That’s not what I believe,” and added, “I’m not living that way. I’ve gotten caught up in things like that before and those are things that are way beyond our control.”
McVay also gave an update on DE Myles Garrett, who sat out Tuesday’s joint practice with the Cowboys because of swelling in his knee. McVay said Garrett is about 85 percent healthy and that the team wanted to be cautious with its new star.
Up in Seattle, Mike Macdonald told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the Seahawks would love to keep two to three running backs involved in the weekly game plan. Even so, he said first-round RB Jadarian Price has stood out and “doesn’t feel like a rookie.”
Fowler also reported that it’s still not certain Seahawks S Nick Emmanwori will be back by Week 1.
And on the tight end front, Fowler said the Seahawks want to use two tight ends heavily this season, which points to a bigger role for TE Elijah Arroyo. Fellow TE A.J. Barner was also mentioned in that context.
In Other News...
Rams Depth Chart Could Reveal Where Two Key Battles Stand
The Rams are getting close to putting their first preseason depth chart on paper, and there should be a few clues in it about how the roster is shaking out before they face the Chiefs. Backup quarterback is one spot worth watching, as are a handful of battles along the offensive line and in the secondary, where players such as Keagan Trost, Emmanuel Forbes, Josh Wallace and Cam Lampkin are all trying to make their cases.
Another spot that could draw a lot of attention is wide receiver, where CJ Daniels placement may help show how the team views the lower end of that room. The return game is also part of the picture, with Kyren Williams and Xavier Smith splitting punt return work in camp, a sign that even a small special-teams listing could carry more weight than usual as the Rams sort through the final edges of the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Puka Nacua Just Put The Rams Offense In A Tough Spot
Puka Nacuas training camp session ended early after he was hurt in what appeared to be a lower-body issue, a jolt for a Rams offense that already leans heavily on his presence. He left practice with medical staff, and Sean McVay acknowledged the injury afterward while stopping short of offering any specifics, which is never the kind of update teams want in camp.
The uncertainty lands at a time when Nacua is already in a difficult spotlight off the field, with the NFL investigating allegations tied to an antisemitic gesture and a civil lawsuit also hanging over him. For the Rams, the immediate concern is the football piece, but the lack of clarity around his condition leaves a key part of their passing game in limbo as camp moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Suddenly Look Like A Real Threat To Add Another Elite Weapon
The Rams have quietly become the kind of team that can at least be mentioned in the same breath as a splashy receiver chase, and Bleacher Reports Moe Moton recently put them at the top of the list for Tyreek Hill if he reaches free agency. It is the sort of suggestion that makes sense on paper: Los Angeles has shown it can support high-end pass-catching talent, and Hills resume alone keeps him in the elite tier of available offensive weapons whenever the conversation turns to possible fits.
What makes the idea more interesting is the timing, because any pursuit would have to account for Hills recovery from knee surgeries and the patience that would require. The Rams could also make the case that their receiver room can absorb a player of that caliber without forcing him to carry everything immediately, which is part of why they stand out among the possible suitors. There is still plenty to sort through before anything gets real, but the fact that Los Angeles is already being framed as a leading option says a lot about how the market could take shape. [Read more 🡒]