The drama surrounding San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is not going away anytime soon.
Samuel has been attending team events, but has yet to rescind the trade request. The 49ers have yet to grant the trade request, just one of many unknowns on the 49ers’ offense heading into the season.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Samuel is “not that happy” with his current situation in the Bay Area. Darlington said SportsCenter that the 49ers want to make things work and won’t trade him.
“He did show up to mandatory minicamp, but that was mostly, I’m told, to avoid the fines that would’ve come with it,” Darlington said. “Deebo and the 49ers have some reconciliation that they need to go through when it comes to their relationship.
The 49ers want to make this work. They have no interest whatsoever in trading Deebo, but Samuel still wants — No. 1 a new contract and No. 2, to be traded. He’s clearly not that happy with the situation with the 49ers, but unless it comes in the form of a new contract, it’s hard for me to fathom Deebo Samuel on the field to start training camp.”
Last month, general manager John Lynch seemingly guaranteed that Samuel would remain a member of the 49ers in 2022.
“We haven’t traded him, and I’d be a fool to trade him. So yes, Deebo will be part of the 49ers this season,” Lynch said.
Samuel is preparing to enter his fourth NFL season. He has recorded 167 receptions for 2,598 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns in his three seasons. His eight rushing touchdowns in 2021 set a single-season record for a wide receiver.
