The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the offseason looking to erase the pain of a 6-11 season. While the new year figures to be a fresh start, the Niners can’t seem to leave their troubles behind.
The biggest source of drama has been wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The 49ers star requested a trade during his exit meetings last month andwent public with his demandsover Super Bowl weekend. Although it’s not the first time Samuel has asked for a trade, it’s starting to seem like this time is different and it could lead to his departure in the coming months.
Deebo Samuel’s Relationship with the 49ers Could Force Trade From San Francisco
Niners beat writer Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard dove deeper into Samuel’s trade demand and found out that the relationship between the two sides is more strained than originally thought. While he asked if this was similar to Samuel’s previous demands, he’s reportedly been told that this is different and “everybody’s set for [Samuel] to be an ex-49er soon.”
Checked around a little on the Deebo Samuel situation -- I asked if this is at all similar to 2022, when he asked to be traded, the 49ers looked, but then he came back on a new deal.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami)February 12, 2025
I'm told, no, this is not similar.
Everybody's set for Deebo to be an ex-49er soon.
Being a rumored trade target is nothing new to Samuel. Coming off an All-Pro season where he racked up 1,770 yards and 14 total touchdowns in 2021, the 29-year-old requested a trade as he was seeking a new contract before the start of the following season. The two sides eventually came together and Samuel signed a three-year, $71.5 million contract extension to stay in San Francisco.
While Samuel was viewed as a key part of the offense, he hasn’t been able to replicate his success. Over the past three seasons Samuel has averaged 56 catches for 731 yards and four touchdowns and hasn’t cleared 900 yards receiving since his All-Pro performance.
The decline led to the 49ersexploring a trade with the New England Patriotsbefore the start of last season but nothing came to fruition. Samuel went on to hit rock bottom with 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns last season and was also held to 3.2 yards per carry – nearly half of the 6.1 yards per attempt he averaged in 2023.
Although injuries have been a constant theme, Samuel suggested that it was a lack of opportunities that caused his decline back in December.
“Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” Samuel wrotein a since-deleted tweet.“Just cause I voice my opinions don’t mean I’m hating on any of my teammates!! Be Fr.”
Just cause I voice my opinions don’t mean I’m hating on any of my teammates!! Be Fr
— Deebo (@19problemz)December 9, 2024
It leads to a complicated situation between the two sides. While we can assume Samuel is looking for more touches, the 49ers mayfeel like they’ve had enough.No NFL player will admit their skills are fading in a world with non-guaranteed contracts, so a change of scenery is Samuel’s best bet to get what he wants.
It’s a situation that puts Samuel on the block again and this time, it could lead to a trade.
More San Francisco 49ers News & Rumors:
Add us as a preferred source onGoogle