Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was San Francisco's offensive Most Valuable Player. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Deebo Samuel teases returning to 49ers for 2022 NFL season?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/7/22

Officially speaking, little has changed regarding the situation involving the San Francisco 49ers and dual-threat offensive weapon Deebo Samuel.

Samuel remains in the final year of his rookie contract and hasn't yet signed an extension with his current employer following a trade request that came before this year's draft, but the 26-year-old attended the club's mandatory minicamp last month. All-Pro tight end George Kittle then raised eyebrows when he said around June 23 that he expected some resolution to the issue in roughly "three weeks."

Samuel may have offered an indication of his mindset ahead of training camp.

Per David Bonilla of 49ers WebZone and Kyle Madson of Niners Wire/USA Today, the NFL Instagram account asked fans to name "the best returning WR duo in the league" for the 2022 season. 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tagged Samuel and responded with "I like us Gang," and Samuel shared Aiyuk's post with the message:

"Of course."

#49ers Deebo Samuel & Brandon Aiyuk definitely believe they are the best WR duo in the NFL pic.twitter.com/2nEIJjBdWH
— (@TheSFNiners) July 7, 2022

Samuel was San Francisco's offensive Most Valuable Player who finished the 2021 regular season with 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns. While his social-media activities confirm nothing, one can't blame 49ers fans for searching for any positive signs as it pertains to his intentions for the upcoming campaign.

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