Deebo Samuel and his agent, Tory Dandy, have received permission from the San Francisco 49ers to seek a trade after Samuel requested a move during his exit meeting at the end of this past season.
He described the conversation as difficult due to his personal relationship with head coach Kyle Shanahan. However, he stated that he has to do what’s best for his career and concluded that a scenery change is necessary.
This request comes after a disappointing season for Samuel. He recorded just 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. His career has steadily declined since his breakout year in 2021. During that season, he posted over 1,400 receiving yards and 1,800 all-purpose yards. Since that sensational campaign, his production has consistently dropped and has not come close to the level he once achieved.
49ers’ Perspective: Time to Move On
For the 49ers, Deebo Samuel’s trade request is being met with little resistance.
Moving on from him appears to be the best decision for the franchise. His production has declined over the past few seasons. The team has already locked up Brandon Aiyuk for the future. Additionally, first-round rookie Ricky Pearsall now has an opportunity to make a significant impact.
When a team selects a receiver in the first round, there is always a reason behind it. The 49ers drafted Pearsall, knowing that either Samuel or Aiyuk’s time in San Francisco was limited. Now, they have chosen to move on from Samuel. Reports indicate they nearly traded him during this past year’s NFL Draft.
Additionally, Samuel is no longer the dynamic player he once was. The version of him that terrorized defenses — breaking tackles and causing headaches for defensive coordinators due to his unpredictability as a receiver and a runner — is no longer the same. He was once a nightmare to bring down for linebackers and defensive backs alike, and he was nearly impossible to tackle in open space. However, that version of him seems to have disappeared.
However, this past season was a different story. He rarely broke tackles and struggled to separate from defenders. In the backfield, he was ineffective, constantly getting stuffed for little to no gain. This season, he averaged just 3.2 yards per carry— a steep drop from his career average of 5.7 yards per attempt.
Whether it’s father time catching up with him after years of carrying a heavy workload for the 49ers or simply a lack of passion for playing in San Francisco, his effectiveness has clearly declined. Samuel is no longer the explosive playmaker he once was, and his impact on the field has significantly diminished.
Financial Implications of a Deebo Samuel Trade
Deebo Samuel’s potential departure does not come without consequences for the 49ers.
The team would have to absorb a $31.55 million cap hit, which would increase by an additional $15.4 million on March 22 due to an option bonus in his contract. Thus, the 49ers are highly likely to trade him before that date.
If a trade does not materialize, the 49ers will likely cut Samuel, reducing the immediate cap hit and spreading it over the next two seasons at just under $11 million annually.
Beyond the financial implications, the 49ers would also be losing one of the key pieces of their recent dominance over the past six seasons. Samuel’s versatility as a wide receiver and running back has been crucial to Shanahan’s offensive scheme. His ability to line up in different positions allowed the 49ers to keep defenses guessing. Shanahan’s creativity and Samuel’s unique skill set made him a constant matchup problem. His versatility made it difficult for defenses to contain him.
49ers’ Offseason Outlook
San Francisco has a long offseason of roster maneuvering ahead.
With Brock Purdy and George Kittle both up for contract extensions, the 49ers must address several key roster holes while handling the Samuel situation. They have plenty of decisions to make this offseason.
The goal remains the same: returning to playing meaningful football in January, as they have for most of the past six years. Whether Deebo Samuel stays on the roster or not, the 49ers must make the right moves. Their decisions this offseason will determine whether they keep their championship window open.
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