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Is it his role with the San Francisco 49ers? Is it the money? Is it a combination of both? Everyone is trying to figure out the reasoning behind wide receiver Deebo Samuel's trade request from the 49ers, the team that made him a second-round draft pick in 2019.
On Wednesday, Samuel tweeted that only he, the 49ers, and his agent know the truth, indicating that everyone else is just speculating—which is true. The receiver later deleted the tweet. The trade request seemed out of character for Samuel, who, until this offseason, seemed to love playing for Kyle Shanahan and embraced his role with the 49ers.
ESPN's Adam Schefter believes there may be another factor in the request to play elsewhere—location.
"I'm sure there are a multitude of factors as to why he would like to be traded," Schefter said on-air (h/t TheSFNiners), "but I think one of them is the fact that he simply prefers to be closer to home, South Carolina; not out west in California. California, San Francisco chose him. He didn't choose that. How many people leave school and go where they don't have to go. Deebo's in that situation. I think he'd like to be closer to home somehow.
"Now, again, there are other issues, of course. We'll see if the two sides can figure out a way to work it out. But it's still a difficult trade to complete, as much as he doesn't want to be back in San Francisco. And then the question becomes: If they can't deal him, what then?"
There are probably a lot of teams interested in inquiring about Samuel. The only reason why he wouldn't get traded is if the 49ers take that option off the table. However, if Samuel intends to never return to California, that's when things could get complicated. He could forego an accrued NFL season if he skips training camp, per the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement. That would complicate his efforts to leave in 2023.
Update: Samuel went to Instagram to seemingly shot down the speculation from Schefter. However, the post was soon deleted.
49ers offer Deebo Samuel assurances regarding roster status
By David Bonilla
10 hrs
Amidst swirling trade rumors surrounding Brandon Aiyuk, the speculation surrounding Deebo Samuel's future with the San Francisco 49ers seems to have quieted down.
According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers have assured Samuel that he will not be involved in any pre- or post-draft transactions, ensuring his place on the roster for the time being.
"Samuel, who signed a three-year, $71.55 million extension before the 2022 season, has been assured by his bosses that he will not be dealt during or after the draft," Silver reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.
Earlier in the
Mike Silver on how Deebo Samuel's contract might be the starting point for a Brandon Aiyuk extension
By Al Sacco
Apr 16
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, it's common for the rumor mill to start churning, especially with players who are actively seeking a new contract. It was just two short years ago that WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to draft day, only for cooler heads to prevail and eventually agree to a new deal.
Now, it's WR Brandon Aiyuk's turn to try and get paid and rumors surfaced over the weekend that he too would request to be dealt. While that report was quickly shot down by his agent, there's still a lot of discussion about Aiyuk's future and if other teams will come calling on draft night.
Legendary columnist Mike Silver joined
Insider believes 49ers are letting Brandon Aiyuk gauge interest around the NFL
By David Bonilla
Apr 21
If the San Francisco 49ers decide to trade wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, it's likely to occur within the next four days—before or during Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite some unconfirmed rumors, there has been no concrete indication that a trade is imminent. Previously, the 49ers had expressed a desire to retain Aiyuk for the foreseeable future.
Aiyuk's agent, Ryan Williams, has swiftly refuted rumors, including one alleging that the receiver had requested a trade, claiming that the Pittsburgh Steelers were "aggressively pursuing" the receiver.
While no official trade request
Why Ian Rapoport believes Brandon Aiyuk might stay with 49ers
By David Bonilla
Apr 23
Brandon Aiyuk has been clear about his desire to receive fair compensation from the San Francisco 49ers—or any NFL team, for that matter.
"I'm trying to get what I deserve," Aiyuk said last month on a podcast. "I feel like this season, this season playing football, I figured out who I was as a person and a player — what I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization."
General manager John Lynch affirms that the 49ers aim to keep Aiyuk around, enduring he remains with the team for the remainder of his career. However, a recent report states there's
