The San Francisco 49ers offseason hit a snag on the final day of the 2024 season.
Hours before kickoff for Super Bowl LIX, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 49ers have given wide receiver Deebo Samuel permission to seek a trade as he enters the final year of the three-year contract he signed before the 2022 season.
According to Schefter, the trade request came during player exit meetings for the 2024 season.
“It was a hard conversation to have with (head coach) Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have,” Samuel said according to Schefter. “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.”
This throws an early wrench in the 49ers offseason, but it’s not a huge shock to hear Samuel and the 49ers are parting ways. He’s entering the final year of his three-year contract and there were already questions about whether San Francisco would keep him around for the 2025 season.
Samuel struggled last year to produce in the ways we’d become accustomed to seeing for the 2021 All-Pro. His overall production dipped, but his tackle breaking and yards-after-catch numbers plummeted. It’s easy to see why the 49ers would be hesitant to give him an extension. He’s due to carry a $15.8 million cap hit in 2025. It’s equally easy to see why Samuel would want additional security on his contract as well.
Requesting a trade gives Samuel and his representation an opportunity to find a team that will give the versatile wide receiver a new deal that goes beyond the 2025 season.
Samuel has spent his entire six-year career in San Francisco after they took him in the second round of the 2019 draft. In 81 games (73 starts) he posted 334 receptions, 4,792 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. He also took 202 carries and turned them into 1,143 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.