San Francisco 49ers grant Deebo Samuel permission to seek trade partner

The San Francisco 49ers have granted star wide receiver Deebo Samuel and his agent Tory Dandy permission to seek a trade partner, according to a report by Adam Schefter.

“It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle [Shanahan] because of the relationship that we have,” Samuel told ESPN. “But I have to do what’s best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it’s best that we find another team.”

This news comes after Deebo Samuel previously made it clear that he wants out of San Francisco. In his players’ exit meetings at the end of the season, Samuel even requested that the team trade him. Now 29 years old, Samuel has spent his entire career with the 49ers, including being named a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2021.

Deebo Samuel is coming off a season where he had 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. That was the fewest number of receptions he’s had since he only played in seven games in the 2020 season. It was also his lowest number of receiving yards and touchdowns since 2022.

Earlier on Sunday, it was reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport that San Francisco was looking for a trade partner to move Samuel. Despite that, it does not guarantee that a trade is going to occur this offseason.

“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.

There has been a growing friction between Deebo Samuel and the 49ers. In one instance, he appeared to get into a confrontation with the team’s long snapper during a game in November. On top of that, in a now-deleted tweet, he shared that he wasn’t struggling, but “just not getting the ball.” All of that came in San Francisco’s first losing season since 2020, a year removed from playing in the Super Bowl.

For now, it’s too early to say what teams could be possible landing spots. However, given the upside talent that Deebo Samuel has, plenty of teams are expected to be interested in him. It may then come down to a team willing to pay a fair price to both San Francisco in the trade and Samuel himself. He will be under contract for a $15.8 million cap hit in 2025.