Deebo Samuel has been a dynamic weapon in Kyle Shanahan's offense, offering versatility as both a receiver and a ball carrier. In 2021, he showcased his abilities by posting 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns.
However, since that standout season, Samuel has struggled to come close to those numbers. Some argue his physical style of play has led to his diminished production. For instance, in 2023, Samuel averaged 6.1 yards per carry, but that dropped to just 3.2 yards per carry this past season.
In January, Samuel requested a trade, and the 49ers have allowed him to explore his options. The hosts of FOX Sports' The Faculty debated whether the 49ers would be better off without Samuel. Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel believes trading Samuel might be the right move.
However, this depends on the 49ers navigating the significant financial hurdles involved. If Samuel is traded before June 1, the 49ers will face a dead-cap hit twice the size of his current salary cap hit. However, if the team can work some salary-cap magic or release him after June 1, Daniel thinks they could actually be better off in the long run.
"I think the 49ers are right, and they're better off without Deebo for a couple reasons," Daniel explained. "One, I'm gonna put on my GM hat. Listen, it has nothing to do with the type of player that Deebo is. Is he declining? Yeah. But is he all the way declined? No. He's still got two or three more good years in him.
"He's a jack-of-all-trades. You're paying a jack-of-all-trades $19.5 million (Note: Samuel's cap hit is actually about $15.87 million in 2025), and he only gets 12% of the offensive touches. [That doesn't] make sense to me, money-wise. Go fix that defense. Go spend that $19.5 million somewhere else."
Daniel also pointed out that the 49ers have been looking to trade Samuel since they signed him to a massive contract after his breakout 2021 season.
"So there's a reason [they want to trade him]," Daniel added. "Not necessarily the type of player he is, or what he is on or off [the field]. They feel like they can win. So, in this situation, I'm going to trust Kyle Shanahan to figure it out.
"There's a reason they took [WR] Ricky Pearsall in the [first] round. There's a reason why [WR] Jauan Jennings is the best number three, who will now move to number two, in all of football. CMC (RB Christian McCaffrey). [TE George] Kittle had his best year this year. There's just one football, and ... it can only go around to so many different people.
"So not only from a monetary standpoint, I think, actually, Deebo's better off somewhere else, too. So it's yes for both sides. I'm actually glad Deebo's looking."
Daniel suggests the Denver Broncos could be a strong landing spot for Samuel to revive his career, praising the team's offensive-minded head coach, Sean Payton.
"He needs the ball in his hands," Daniel continued. "... He's a trendsetter. He is a guy that can do anything. He can run it out of the backfield. He can run screens to the house. He can go deep. He can do all that stuff. I just think, right now, it's better off that they both go their separate ways."
Emmanuel Acho, also weighing in on the debate, emphasized that Samuel is no longer the player he once was.
"Are the Niners better off without Deebo? Absolutely not," Acho said. "They're not better off without 2021 Deebo. They are better off without 2024 Deebo. What Deebo are you getting? You can't talk about the Deebo you wish you had. You have to talk about the Deebo that currently exists.
"I don't know which Deebo exists. I want the Deebo that was confident. I don't want the Deebo that was cocky. I want the Deebo that was still hungry to go out there and get it. I don't want the over-inflated-sense-of-self Deebo. That's the Deebo I want."