It looks like star-wide receiver/running back Deebo Samuel and the San Francisco 49ers are headed for a breakup. According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Samuel has asked the Niners to trade him, for reasons he hasn’t yet revealed.
Ian Rapoport reported that Samuel asked the Niners for a trade a week ago and that the team has “been aware of Deebo’s feelings for a while.”
His teammate and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has been on the block since their season ended, but nothing has happened with many teams already making moves to fill their QB position. Now that Deebo wants out, Jimmy G seemingly gets pushed back even more.
There is an idea being floated on Twitter that the Carolina Panthers should trade for both Deebo Samuel and Jimmy Garoppolo.
As expected, social media had a lot to say:
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The first hint of discord between the 26-year-old Samuel and the Niners came when he unexpectedly scrubbed every mention of the team from his social media. Samuel has never played for an NFL team besides the 49ers, who took him in the second round of the 2019 draft.
With Samuel’s rookie contract set to expire after next season, an extension was one of the 49ers’ priorities this offseason. The team wanted to pay him, but Samuel reportedly cut off extension talks.
Samuel’s trade request comes at a time when the salaries for wide receivers have skyrocketed.