After Deebo Samuel signed a three-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers, making the talented wide receiver a very wealthy man, some assumed that his April trade request was a negotiating tactic. According to Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin, it wasn't. Samuel legitimately wanted out of Santa Clara.
In April, Irvin admitted that he spoke with Samuel after the Super Bowl, advising the young wideout to stay with Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers because that would be best for his career.
"Like, it kind of felt, OK, he didn't receive that well," Irvin said in April.
In an interview with 95.7 The Game on Monday, Irvin shared that Samuel was determined to continue his NFL career with another team.
"This is not a game. He really wanted to be moved," Irvin told Damon Bruce and Ray Ratto. "And remember, I've had conversations with him, and I knew the nit grit on why that really came about. He shared that with me, and I said I wouldn't violate that and I won't share it. But when he did share it, I felt it when he explained it to me. So I felt it. So he wanted to be moved."
Samuel has not spoken publicly to the media since the week leading to the Super Bowl. That left everyone to speculate as to why the wide receiver wanted out of Santa Clara. Some wondered if his unexpected role as a part-time running back last season influenced the trade request.
Samuel's departure options dwindled after the 2022 NFL Draft. If the 49ers were to grant his trade request, it would have been before or during April's annual event. There were offers, but none were tempting enough for San Francisco to consider parting ways with its best offensive weapon.
The 49ers would never trade Samuel unless the resulting compensation benefitted them immediately. With the draft over and Samuel still on the roster, his options were to sign with San Francisco or hold out, resulting in potential fines.
Samuel's three-year deal is reportedly worth $71.55 million with a maximum value of $73.5 million, including $58.167 million guaranteed. He now remains under contract through the 2025 season, and Irvin is pleased.
"He's getting what he's worth now," Irvin added. "He's getting what he's worth, so we can put this genie back in the bottle and get going. Let me tell you what I texted him when I heard [about the deal]. I told him, 'Congrats.' I told him, 'You know I'm happy for both sides. That is where you belong. Now go and do your great things, man.'"
You can listen to the entire conversation with Irvin below.