There is a rumor going around about the New England Patriots having interest in San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, but an NFL insider has poured cold water over the speculation.
During an appearance on “Early Edition” with Trenni Casey and Phil Perry (h/t Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston), Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated debunked the idea about the Patriots acquiring the All-Pro wideout:
“I checked in with somebody who would absolutely know on this, and they said, ‘A) We’re not trading him and B) They haven’t called. So wherever this is, it hasn’t gotten to the Niners’ desks. This isn’t something that’s been on the table for them at all.
Now, you look at the Niners’ history, could they be enticed to do something like that? Well, I look back at what happened in 2020 when they had to take care of both Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner. And their solution to that was, we’re going to pay Arik Armstead and we’re going to trade DeForest Buckner. So they’ve been creative in these situations before. Brandon Aiyuk is going to be up in the next couple of years and he’s eligible for a new deal now. So could this evolve that way? Sure. But there’s no meat on the bone there as of right now.”
Samuel requested a trade from the 49ers last season following a career year, but the two sides managed to agree on a three-year contract extension worth $71.55 million. Samuel missed four games but still racked up 864 yards of offense and five total touchdowns in 2022, helping the 49ers to a third NFC Championship Game appearance in four years.
Samuel has been an integral part of Kyle Shanahan’s offense in San Francisco, and with the All-Pro wideout under contract for two more years, it makes little sense for the 49ers to look at trading him anyway.
As for the Patriots, they certainly need some help at wide receiver. Jakobi Meyers, their leading receiver from 2022, is eligible to enter free agency next month. If he walks, there will be a pressing need for Bill Belichick and company to find a new WR1, and quickly.
