The Brandon Aiyuk trade saga is finally over, but his new extension could kickstart Deebo Samuel rumors. While both players are currently under contract, the 49ers might not have the money to keep Samuel beyond the 2024 season. San Francisco is projected to be $36.6 million over the 2025 salary cap, and that’s before accounting for Brock Purdy’s inevitable extension. While teams can circumnavigate the salary cap with restructures, it’s clear the 49ers entered the offseason planning to lose at least one of their big-name players.
Early in the offseason, the 49ers re-signed veteran wide receiver Jauan Jennings to a two-year, $15.39 million deal. This move doesn’t mean anything on its own, but it’s a decent amount of money to give to a player who projects as the fifth or sixth option in the passing attack. A few months later, San Francisco selected wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in the first and fourth rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, respectively. You don’t make these kinds of moves if you plan on keeping Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, so seeing as they can’t trade Aiyuk, it only makes sense that they’ll start shopping Samuel.
5 Teams That Could Trade For Deebo Samuel
New England Patriots
The Patriots have their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and his supporting cast is the only reason he won’t start in Week 1. The Patriots desperately tried to add a legitimate wideout over the offseason, but Calvin Ridley and Brandon Aiyuk both said no to their massive contract offers. Well, the third time could be the charm as the Patriots pursue a Deebo Samuel trade. Samuel wanted to play for New England before the 2019 NFL Draft, but the Patriots chose N’Keal Harry instead. Now, it’s time to right that wrong and give Drake Maye an explosive playmaker as he adjusts to life in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints desperately need to start winning football games in 2024. While New England is embracing a years-long rebuild, the Saints have repeatedly kicked the can down the road to avoid a similar fate. So far, that decision hasn’t paid off, as the team has yet to make the playoffs since Drew Brees called it a career. The Saints have two reliable receivers in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but they could still benefit from a Deebo Samuel trade. The Saints have one of the worst offensive lines in football, and adding an explosive playmaker like Samuel who thrives at getting open early in the route would go a long way in mitigating the effects of the poor blocking.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers made a concerted effort to make life easier for Bryce Young in 2024. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen can play, but Johnson’s entering the final year of his deal while Thielen is on the wrong side of 30. Jonathan Mingo and first-round pick Xavier Legette have promise, but neither player is a proven commodity. If the Panthers want a young, proven option with team control, they should trade for Deebo Samuel. If Young still can’t produce with this supporting cast, then Carolina will know they need to begin the search for a franchise quarterback anew in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers
Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball early and often, but you still need to throw the ball to win in today’s NFL. Unfortunately for Justin Herbert, his only notable weapons are second-round pick Ladd McConkey and 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston. McConkey is a fresh slate, but Johnston needs to do a complete 180 after a disastrous rookie season. A Deebo Samuel trade would add some much-needed security to this wide receiver room, and Samuel’s ability to make plays out of the backfield should make him an ideal match for Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers struck out with the Brandon Aiyuk trade talks, but perhaps they can try again with Deebo Samuel. George Pickens is great, but he’s the only proven option at receiver. Russell Wilson could’ve gotten by with just Pickens at the peak of his powers, but the present-day version of the quarterback requires more assistance. Samuel might not be as desirable as Aiyuk, but the former second-round pick would still go a long way toward Pittsburgh returning to the postseason and finally earning a January win.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports
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