Speculation is swirling about which team Deebo Samuel will play for in 2025. In January, the wide receiver requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers, and the team granted him permission to seek a new home. While financial obstacles stand in the way of a deal, it seems increasingly likely that the veteran wideout's time in the Bay Area is coming to an end.
One former NFL general manager has proposed a potential landing spot: the Los Angeles Chargers. ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum suggests that head coach Jim Harbaugh should reach out to his former team about acquiring the versatile receiver.
"Chargers trade for Deebo Samuel right down the California highway," Mike Tannenbaum said on ESPN's Get Up!, as transcribed by Dan Morrison of On3.com. "When you look at where the Chargers are, they hit on Ladd McConkey [but] Quentin Johnston really hasn't worked out. You go back a year ago, they moved on from Keenan Allen [and] Mike Williams.
"If Justin Herbert's going to get to where he can go, which I think is a superstar, they need someone like Deebo Samuel who can run after [the] catch and be more productive in this passing game."
Samuel is set to count $15.87 million against the salary cap in 2025. However, the dead-cap hit is double that amount if the 49ers trade him before June 1, leading some to believe the team might opt to release him instead.
"I think that releasing him and allowing him to kind of choose his next home is probably the way this is going to go," Matt Barrows of The Athletic said this week.
Adding to the situation's complexity is the $15.4 million option bonus Samuel is due on March 22.
Samuel's stock has fallen compared to previous years. The 29-year-old receiver is coming off a disappointing 2024 season, recording just 806 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns—career lows, aside from his injury-riddled 2020 campaign.
