Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum proposes Los Angeles Chargers trade for Deebo Samuel

The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Deebo Samuel appear to be heading for a divorce with reports that the team is going to allow Samuel to seek a trade. There’s no question that there’d be interest in him around the league, but it still remains to be seen what teams would be willing to make a move for him.

One team that does seem to make sense for Samuel is the Los Angeles Chargers. As former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum proposed on Get Up Thursday morning, a trade between the Chargers and 49ers would be a potential one we could see.

“Chargers trade for Deebo Samuel right down the California highway,” Mike Tannenbaum said. “When you look at where the Chargers are, they hit on Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston really hasn’t worked out. You go back a year ago, they moved on from Keenan Allen, Mike Williams. If Justin Herbert‘s going to get to where he can go, which I think is a superstar, they need someone like Deebo Samuel who can run after catch and be more productive in this passing game.”

Samuel made it clear during the team’s exit meetings at the end of the season that he wanted to leave the 49ers. At the time, he requested a trade as tension had risen between him and San Francisco over the course of the season.

Samuel’s 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns this past season were the fewest receptions he’s had since 2020 when he played seven games. Samuel’s other numbers were his lowest since 2022. That came in a season where in a now-deleted tweet, he shared that he wasn’t struggling, but “just not getting the ball.”

On top of that, Samuel also got into a confrontation in November with San Francisco’s long-snapper amid the team’s first losing season since 2020. Despite all of that, there is no guarantee that San Francisco will make the decision to trade Samuel. There is also a world where the two sides come together and reconcile, avoiding a trade at all. NFL insider Ian Rapoport explained the situation.

“While it’s not a certainty that Samuel is done in San Francisco, it’s enough of a possibility that both sides appear to be at peace with moving on if it goes that way,” Rapoport said.

Samuel is now 29 years old, Samuel has spent his entire career with the 49ers, including being named a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2021. He will be under contract for a $15.8 million cap hit in 2025.