Deebo Samuel Requests Trade From San Francisco 49ers
By Jason Hall
February 9, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel revealed that he requested a trade during his exit meeting earlier this year, with the team granting him and his agent permission to seek a trade.
“It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have,” Samuel said on Super Bowl Sunday (February 9) via ESPN's Adam Schefter. “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.”
Samuel, 29, had previously requested a trade in 2022 while he and the Niners reached a stalemate before agreeing to a three-year, $73.5 million contract extension, which included $58.1 million guaranteed. The former All-Pro has repeatedly said he was "frustrated" with his lack of production, which included a since-deleted post on his X account complaining about not getting the ball enough.
The 49ers have granted Deebo Samuel and his agent Tory Dandy permission to find a trade partner for the wide receiver, Samuel told ESPN. This comes after Samuel asked San Francisco to trade him during the players’ exit meetings after the season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2025
“It was a hard conversation to… pic.twitter.com/uuEsxgFHIJ
“Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” Samuel wrote at the time.
Samuel is entering the final year of his contract and is owed $17.55 million in 2025, which will be a factor in team's interest in acquiring him via trade. The Niners drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft and extended wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk last offseason.
Samuel is coming off a season in which he recorded 51 receptions, his lowest total since an injury-riddled 2020 season, as well as 670 yards and three touchdowns.