The San Francisco 49ers are suddenly in the midst of a dramatic offseason, desperately trying to rebuild an aging roster and avoid another failed campaign.
This is a team that should continually compete for championships, though 2024 was an underwhelming mess across the board. Not only did the organization suffer from the dreaded "Super Bowl hangover" but it also dealt with injuries and suddenly, internal turmoil.
Following the news that former All-Pro WR Deebo Samuel could be traded, the versatile offensive weapon officially broke his silence on the rumors. Unfortunately for 49ers fans, Samuel's comments indicate he's certainly played his final down for the organization.
The 49ers have granted Deebo Samuel and his agent Tory Dandy permission to find a trade partner for the wide receiver, Samuel told ESPN. This comes after Samuel asked San Francisco to trade him during the players’ exit meetings after the season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2025
“It was a hard conversation to… pic.twitter.com/uuEsxgFHIJ
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Samuel and his agent have been granted permission to seek a trade. Samuel reportedly asked for the move during his exit meeting after the end of the regular season.
"It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have," Samuel said. "But I have to do what’s best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it’s best that we find another team."
It's not clear what ultimately led to this request, though Samuel's declining usage likely had something to do with it. He caught just 51 of 81 targets for 670 yards and two TDs while adding 136 yards and another score on the ground in 2024, a stark decline from the numbers he put up previously.
He's entering the final year of his contract with a cap hit north of $15 million. At 29 years old with plenty of tread on the tires, Samuel may not be the true game-changer he once was. That said, a player with his versatility still carries value for a creative offensive mind, and Samuel is likely to be a coveted asset.
Whether or not the 49ers are able to recoup significant value remains to be seen. Either way, it's sad to see a player who has spent his entire six-year career in San Francisco want to leave. This feels like the closing of a key chapter in the franchise's history and now, general manager John Lynch has to figure out how to best equip the offense to compete for a title in 2025.