Deebo Samuel has requested a trade from the 49ers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. Samuel told ESPN over the phone that he has asked San Francisco to deal him somewhere else but did not elaborate why.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Samuel requested a trade over a week ago. Money is not the root of the demand, but Samuel has issue with how he’s utilized with the 49ers. This all explains why there has been no movement on extension talks.
Samuel is used unlike any other player in the NFL because of how much the 49ers depend on the receiver in run plays. Not only did Samuel catch 77 passes for 1,405 yards, but he also rushed for 365 yards on 59 carries. He finished 2021 with 14 total touchdowns. The offense’s architect, Mike McDaniel, left the 49ers to coach the Dolphins.
This all follows an ESPN report that was published Monday that detailed Samuel, along with Titans star receiver AJ Brown, would not attend their respective teams’ on-field offseason workout programs until they got longterm extensions. Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin was also mentioned to be looking for a deal but was still planning to join his team while still seeking a new deal.
The 49ers don’t have to trade Samuel, but if they entertained a deal, the Texans would be a suitor, according to The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami. Any deal for Samuel would likely include a first-round draft pick and Houston has both the No. 3 and No. 13 pick in this year’s draft. San Francisco doesn’t have a pick until No. 61.
Samuel is entering the last year of his current deal
