The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a disappointing year. After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII, many believed San Francisco could push to a return trip in 2024 and most of the roster returned to make that happen.
Unfortunately, things didn’t play out that way. Injuries played a big role in sabotaging the 49ers season and San Francisco finished in last place of the NFC West, limping to a 6-11 record.
Any team that comes up short has questions ahead of the offseason and the 49ers are no exception. With Brock Purdy expected to get a massive extension and other players seeking new deals , a big move could be on the way and it includes a former All-Pro that could be on his way out of San Francisco.
The #49ers are expected to explore trading star WR Deebo Samuel, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 9, 2025
In what could be a wild offseason, a parting for Samuel and SF is not guaranteed, but it may make sense for all parties.
My story: https://t.co/g5WdqHQXfvhttps://t.co/g5WdqHQXfv
49ers Reportedly Exploring a Trade For Deebo Samuel
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are expected to explore a trade for Deebo Samuel. Rapoport also said that it’s not a certainty that the 29-year-old is done in San Francisco but it’s enough of a possibility that “both sides appear to be at peace with moving on.”
If this is the end for Samuel, it will mark the end of a standout career for the 49ers. Samuel was a second-round pick (36th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft and the South Carolina product broke out, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors by catching 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns in 2021.
The big year helped Samuel earn a three-year, $71.5 million contract before the 2022 season but his production tailed off and Samuel has battled injuries in each of the past three seasons.
Things seemed to be trending in the wrong direction as Samuel finished with 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns this past season. Samuel admitted in December that he was “a little frustrated” with his role in the offense and later deleted a post on X that said he wasn’t struggling, just not getting the ball.
The 49ers have also seemed to have a succession plan for Samuel in place. San Francisco signed Brandon Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million extension before the start of this season and selected Ricky Pearsall in the first round of last year’s draft.
San Francisco also explored the possibility of trading Samuel last offseason but nothing came to fruition. For what it’s worth 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters in early January that the plan was to bring Samuel back but the former All-Pro’s $17.55 million salary for next year could be a reason to change their plans.