The San Francisco 49ers are looking to trade quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers hope to avoid trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel. One would probably prefer to stay on the roster if the team hadn't drafted his replacement, Trey Lance, a year ago. The other seemingly wants out.
News broke on Wednesday that Samuel had requested a trade from the 49ers. The two sides had been discussing a contract extension for the versatile receiver who lined up at running back last season, delivering eight rushing touchdowns—an NFL single-season record for a wide receiver. Samuel's camp has reportedly halted those contract talks.
On Thursday, Garoppolo broke his offseason silence and spoke with Sirius XM NFL Radio about his 49ers teammate and what a team would be getting in Samuel (h/t Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group).
"I knew going into the surgery what it was going to take to get the shoulder back right, but we'll be throwing here soon."#49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo joined us to talk about his health, his future, and about Deebo Samuel.
🔊LISTEN HERE🔊 pic.twitter.com/l5uT01fG6r
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 21, 2022
"I don't know [exactly] what's going on behind the scenes, what the reasons are for everything," Garoppolo said. "But what they would be getting in Deebo is one of the best players that I've ever played with. One of the best football players, one of the best guys I've ever played with. And I've been with Deebo since he was a rookie, so I've seen him evolve and grow.
"The way he sets the tone, though, for us, in practice, in the game, in the meeting room, whatever it is, the dude just puts his heart into it, and you've got to appreciate a guy like that—a teammate that's willing to put it all on the line for you.
"However this thing works out for him, he deserves his money. He's going to get it one way or another, but I just wish the best for him. The dude, he's all-time, and I just really appreciate him, just as a friend."
Garoppolo also provided an update on his shoulder, which underwent surgery in March and will prevent him from throwing until closer to training camp.
"I'm not where I want to be yet," Garoppolo said. "The shoulder surgery, obviously, it went well. Rehab has been going great, but it's a process. I know that. I knew going into the surgery what it was going to take to get the shoulder back right. But we'll be trowing here soon. I just got to keep going in the right direction, I think.
"It's a long offseason. It's already been crazy with all the trades, guys going to different teams, whatever it is. It's just one of those things that I'm just going to let the chips fall where they may, keep working my ass off like I always go. I think when you do that, good things will happen to you."
Garoppolo said he will "definitely" be ready for training camp, adding, "To what degree, we don't really know that yet. I mean, we haven't even started throwing yet, so we've got a little ways to go. But it's definitely feeling good right now. I'm pretty happy with where I'm at."