49ers HC Kyle Shanahan: Relationship with Deebo Samuel has 'always been alright'

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch somewhat defiantly declared last week that dual-threat talent and All-Pro selection Deebo Samuel "will be part of the 49ers this season" despite Samuel's offseason trade request and amid his desire to put pen to paper on a lucrative deal before the final campaign of his rookie contract. 

It was unknown when Lynch made his comments if Samuel would attend San Francisco's mandatory minicamp moved up to this Tuesday through Thursday, but reports surfaced earlier in the day claiming Samuel wouldn't skip the sessions. The Athletic's Matt Barrows later reported Samuel was not in uniform but was seen "running on a side field." 

Per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters and insisted the club's relationship with Samuel has "always been alright" despite lingering questions about the 26-year-old's future. 

"I know we go through the business part of this league and things like that. But I don’t think the relationship was ever too far away to not get it back to normal," Shanahan explained. "And I think we’re working on that. Anytime you’re away from each other for a while, that’s always harder. But it’s good to get him back in here and start getting him around the guys again." 

Shanahan also said he and Samuel have shared personal conversations. He wouldn't, however, comment on whether Samuel had rescinded his trade request.

"I’m not going to get into that and you guys can ask Deebo to speak for himself on that,” Shanahan said. "But love our relationship with Deebo and hopefully that’ll help us be able to solve this contractually before we get to the season," Shanahan added during his comments. 

It remains unclear if Samuel would play without an extension or for the 49ers, at all, in 2022.