Deebo Samuel's Top Landing Spots Debated by NFL Fans After 49ers WR's Trade Request
Mike Chiari@@mikechiari
Featured Columnist IVFebruary 9, 2025
NFL fans took a break from their Super Bowl LIX preparations on Sunday to discuss the fate of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Samuel informed ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday that the 49ers granted him and agent Tory Dandy permission to seek a trade this offseason.
After requesting a trade during the Niners' season-ending exit meetings, Samuel told Schefter:
"It was a hard conversation to have with [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] because of the relationship that we have. 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."
In response to the news, many fans took to X and debated the best landing spot for Samuel should he indeed get traded in the coming months:
Samuel, 29, sports a salary cap hit of $15.825 million in 2025, but he has only one year left on his contract, which could make it easier for receiver-needy teams to justify trading for him even though he is coming off a down year.
The former University of South Carolina standout is best remembered for his dominant 2021 campaign when he was named a Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro for the first and only time.
Samuel set career highs with 77 receptions for 1,405 yards to go along with six touchdowns, plus he was a dominant force as a runner, rushing for 365 yards and eight scores.
In the three seasons since then, Samuel has missed multiple games due to injury each year, and he has not come close to replicating that level of success.
After finishing with 864 total yards and five touchdowns in 2022, Samuel did bounce back in 2023 with 1,117 total yards and 12 scores.
However, he struggled in 15 games during the 2024 campaign, recording 51 grabs for 670 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 136 yards and one touchdown.
It is fair to wonder if injuries and age are starting to catch up with Samuel, but there is still a strong argument to be made for him being worth the risk since he is not signed long term.
That fact should ensure that multiple teams are in on Samuel on the trade market, particularly those who believe they may be one offensive weapon away from championship contention.