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...
Seahawks Just Got An Unwanted Twist In The Coby Bryant Situation
Nick Emmanworis return from the PUP list was the positive roster note for Seattle on Wednesday, with the rookie safety cleared after passing his physical. The Seahawks also had to absorb a tougher update on the injury front, as fullback Robbie Ouzts was moved to season-ending injured reserve, another reminder of how quickly training camp availability can shift for a roster trying to settle in.
The more long-range concern comes from Coby Bryants situation in Chicago. The former Seahawks safety underwent surgery and is now expected to miss the entire regular season, which matters in Seattle because his performance with the Bears is tied to the compensatory draft pick formula the Seahawks are watching for 2027. A full year lost would likely weaken that return, leaving Seattle with less value than it might have counted on when it eventually takes stock of Bryants departure. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Suddenly Have A Big Secondary Concern Before Week 1
The Seahawks secondary already looks like one of the more watched parts of the roster heading into September, and Nick Emmanwori has quickly become a name to monitor. The defensive back is working his way back from offseason ankle surgery, and the team has left open the possibility that he could be available when the regular season opens.
For now, though, his recovery keeps adding a layer of uncertainty to a group that would prefer as much continuity as possible before Week 1. Emmanwori is expected to miss most or all of the preseason while he continues ramping up, which means Seattle may have to sort out its defensive backfield without one of its key young pieces in live-game action for the time being. [Read more 🡒]