The San Francisco 49ers entertained trade offers for All-Pro offensive weapon Deebo Samuel in 2022 before making him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. One year later, there are new rumors regarding Samuel’s future in San Francisco.
After becoming one of the highest-paid receivers in football, Samuel experienced an injury-riddled season last year. After earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2021, the 6-foot playmaker played in just 13 games and failed to eclipse even 1,000 scrimmage yards.
- Deebo Samuel contract: $8.653 million cap hit (2023), $28.57 million cap hit (2024)
While injuries played a primary role in the statistical decline, Samuel’s effectiveness also dropped. After averaging 18.2 yards per reception and 6.2 yards per rush in 2021, he finished last season with averages of 11.3 yards per reception and 5.5 yards per carry.
With San Francisco tight on long-term cap space and still needing to sign Nick Bosa and Brandon Aiyuk to contract extensions, speculation about Samuel’s future with the 49ers has ramped up
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Addressing recent NFL trade rumors suggesting the New England Patriots are looking into Samuel, MMQB’s Albert Breer shut down the speculation on the Early Edition with Trenni Casey and Phil Perry on Thursday.
“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.”
Albert Breer on Deebo Samuel trade rumors (H/T NBC Sports Boston)
With San Francisco poised to enter the season with Brock Purdy as its starting quarterback, it can afford to spend heavily on other positions. Purdy carries just an $889,252 cap charge in 2023 and that figure only climbs slightly in 2024 ($1.004 million) and 2025 ($1.119 million).
As a result, there is less incentive to even consider moving Samueln unless the move is absolutely necessary. Given the 49ers are still a perennial Super Bowl contender and Samuel plays an important role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, there is no motive to make a move.
- Deebo Samuel stats (2022): 864 scrimmage yards, five touchdowns in 13 games
It’s possible NFL teams could reach out about Brandon Aiyuk, hoping San Francisco is willing to follow the same path it did by extending Arik Armstead and trading DeForest Buckner. At least for now, though, any general manager hoping to acquire Samuel won’t have any luck.
