A new report provides details that may further explain the San Francisco 49ers’ desire to move on from All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
During Super Bowl 59 weekend, it was reported that the 49ers granted Deebo Samuel and his agent permission to seek a trade. The 29-year-old has one season remaining on the three-year, $71.5 million extension he signed in 2022.
Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” show, Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard reported that Samuel’s weight was a concern for the 49ers at the end of the regular season:
“I’ve heard for a few weeks now that the 49ers were unhappy with Deebo’s weight at the end of the season. Now, he got hurt. Some of this happens, but they were not happy. We saw it. He did not have the explosion. He was not bouncing off of people.
He was not running through a defense like he’d done at least two, three years ago. It’s just the reality of the way things develop. And I think at this point, he probably will not be a 49er, but there’s still a chance he could still remain a 49er.”
Kawakami also believes that multiple people in the 49ers’ front office have been ready to move on from Deebo Samuel “for a while now.” Finally, Kawakami stated that, “both sides kind of are ready to not be in business with each other.”
Which team do you think is the best fit for Deebo Samuel? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/rQ5m8HMesw
— NBC Sports Bet (@NBCSportsBet) February 11, 2025
Samuel requested a trade from the 49ers in the 2022 offseason before agreeing to a three-year extension. The 2019 second-round pick was coming off a career year that saw him record 1,770 scrimmage yards (1,405 receiving, 365 rushing) and 14 total touchdowns.
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Deebo Samuel Would Benefit From A Fresh Start
A decline in his productions, injuries, the arrival of 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall and the emergence of Jauan Jennings (77 catches for 975 yards and six touchdowns) have made Samuel expendable on the West Coast.
With Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle still playing prominent roles, the 49ers have too much talent on offense to get their money’s worth out of Samuel. So it makes sense for both sides to part ways and for Samuel to join a team that could make him a No. 1 receiver again.
Also Read: PHOTO: 49ers WR Deebo Samuel Drops Major Hint On Which Team He’ll Be Traded To
