Story perspectives

49ers Hold First Padded Practice, Sign Deebo Samuel

8/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The 49ers held their first padded practice on July 31, 2026.
They signed players Josiah Deguara, Trenton Irwin, and Deebo Samuel to one-year deals (Samuel’s contract $7 million) and waived players Derrick Canteen and Tanner McLachlan.
Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, the 33rd overall pick, earned praise from quarterback Brock Purdy and veteran Mike Evans and will get his first regular-season chance when the 49ers open preseason on August 13, 2026, at home versus the Tennessee Titans.

History

Historical Context

The NFL introduced a hard salary cap of $33.8 million per team in 1994, forcing franchises like the San Francisco 49ers—owned by Denise DeBartolo York—to trim payrolls. Decades later, the 49ers continued that flexible-contract approach, signing Deebo Samuel to a $7 million one-year deal and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling for 2026, underscoring the cap-era’s lasting impact.

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Story summary

The 49ers held their first padded practice on July 31, 2026.
They signed players Josiah Deguara, Trenton Irwin, and Deebo Samuel to one-year deals (Samuel’s contract $7 million) and waived players Derrick Canteen and Tanner McLachlan.
Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling, the 33rd overall pick, earned praise from quarterback Brock Purdy and veteran Mike Evans and will get his first regular-season chance when the 49ers open preseason on August 13, 2026, at home versus the Tennessee Titans.

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