The 2025 offseason is in full swing with Super Bowl 59 officially over. The Philadelphia Eagles are on top of the NFL world and the other 31 teams in the league will use the next couple of months to make improvements to their squad.
On Sunday morning, it was revealed that receiver Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the 49ers and the team will explore moving him this offseason.
With Samuel already looking at potential destinations outside of San Francisco, he wasted no time expressing a team he would be open to playing for.
As Samuel trade rumors started floating, former All-Pro receiver Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson gave the 29-year-old a warning regarding his trade request.
During an episode of "Night Cap" with co-host Shannon Sharpe, Johnson said. "The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It’s not always greener on the other side, and hopefully, he doesn’t find that out, but if he goes to the wrong place, he will.”
Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson issued an ominous warning to Deebo Samuel after the 49ers star's trade request 👀https://t.co/8XJp9tsTPh
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) February 11, 2025
49ers News: Chad Johnson Gives Deebo Samuel a Warning on His Trade Request
Samuel has been with the 49ers since 2019 and has developed into an all-around playmaker for them. He lines up at receiver and even running back, showcasing his versatility. In 2022, he signed a three-year, $71.5 million contract and will be heading into the final year of that deal in 2025.
Despite playing in 15 games this past season, Samuel's production took a dip. He finished with 51 catches for 670 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He also finished with 136 rushing yards (his lowest since 2020).
Samuel has just one year on his deal at $15.8 million per Spotrac. His next team will have him on the books for the 2025 season and will have to decide if they want him around for the long haul.
While that's what Samuel wants, Johnson is right. Players believe they will have the same success no matter where they play, but that isn't always the case. Being in an offensive scheme with Kyle Shanahan at the helm is such a bonus. And Samuel could miss that creativity if he isn't put in the same position to thrive.
Shanahan has developed a reputation for being an offensive guru, and Samuel benefitted from that. Depending on where he gets flipped to, he may not see the same success that he saw with the 49ers.