San Francisco 49ers insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area has little doubt that wide receiver Deebo Samuel will play elsewhere in 2025. Samuel requested a trade in January, and the 49ers have granted him permission to seek one, signaling the likely end of his six-year tenure with the team.
But why does Samuel want out? After all, the 49ers appeared willing to keep the versatile wideout through the final year of his contract.
Maiocco joined Bay Area radio station KNBR on Tuesday and offered his thoughts on the situation. He acknowledged that something felt off with Samuel this past season, and the receiver didn't seem happy being on the team.
"And he's a guy with an ego, and probably, to see his numbers go down—especially [in] the run game," Maiocco said. "I mean, he was always around six yards per carry. Last year, he was at 3.2."
Statistically, Samuel had one of his worst seasons—aside from an injury-riddled 2020. He finished with just 806 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns.
"It was probably a blow to the ego when, after he signs his big-money deal, Brandon Aiyuk becomes, in essence, the number one receiver, the guy who's catching more passes, catching more touchdowns, getting more yards receiving," Maiocco continued. "And then, even with Brandon Aiyuk out of the picture, he was still the next guy, with seeing Jauan Jennings [produce]."
Maiocco also pointed out that Samuel's public perception has shifted. Once one of the most beloved players on the roster, his standing among fans has declined.
"To see how things just came crashing down from a public perception standpoint—I don't know where it started, whether it was the outburst on the sidelines against Tampa Bay, whether it was just the lowering production numbers, or him going on social media and saying he needs more opportunities," Maiocco commented. "But, man, when things soured, they soured in a hurry."
Maiocco believes Samuel is aware of the shift in perception and may be struggling with it.
"And I think Deebo is a sensitive guy, and he's on social media probably far more than he should be, so he sees that," Maiocco said. "And you just kind of see how everything just kind of went downhill to a point where, I think, he believes that the grass is going to be greener, that maybe he needs a fresh start."
You can listen to Maiocco's entire interview below.