Deebo Samuel appears ready to move on from the San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver has requested a trade, and the 49ers have granted him permission to seek one. Unlike his 2022 trade request—when Samuel was fresh off a breakout season with 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns—his stock is currently at an all-time low, complicating the situation.
This past season, Samuel recorded just 806 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns—the lowest numbers of his career, aside from his injury-plagued 2020 season. Still, teams may find value in acquiring him, betting on the possibility of a career resurgence.
NFL site The 33rd Team recently proposed two hypothetical trades for Samuel on social media (h/t Niners Wire for the find).
Trade proposal 1
49ers receive: Third-round pick, No. 77 overall
New England Patriots receive: Deebo Samuel
Trade proposal 2
49ers receive: Third-round pick, No. 83 overall
Pittsburgh Steelers receive: Deebo Samuel
A hypothetical trade that would send Deebo to Pittsburgh ⛓? https://t.co/9pLtFNLzAU pic.twitter.com/PsvDES2it1
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 11, 2025
These proposals are notably more generous than what ESPN's Nick Wagoner predicted the 49ers might receive for Samuel.
"Because Samuel is coming off a down year and is entering the final year of his contract with other top receivers set to be available in free agency or trade, a Day 3 draft pick and perhaps another late-round pick would probably satisfy the 49ers," Wagoner recently wrote.
Financial obstacles remain even if the 49ers were tempted by one of these trade proposals. Trading Samuel before June 1 would be costly, doubling his salary-cap hit compared to keeping him. Moving him would create a $31.55 million dead-cap charge for 2025, compared to his current $15.87 million cap hit.
Additionally, Wagoner noted that Samuel is due a $15.4 million option bonus on March 22, further complicating any potential trade.
Samuel reportedly requested the trade during exit meetings following the season.
"It was a hard conversation to have with [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] because of the relationship that we have," Samuel told ESPN. "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."
If you were the 49ers, would you accept The 33rd Team's trade proposals for Deebo Samuel?