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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel revealed that he requested a trade during his exit meeting earlier this year, with the team granting him and his agent permission to seek a trade.
“It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have,” Samuel said on Super Bowl Sunday (February 9) via ESPN's Adam Schefter. “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.”
Samuel, 29, had previously requested a trade in 2022 while he and the Niners reached a stalemate before agreeing to a three-year, $73.5 million contract extension, which included $58.1 million guaranteed. The former All-Pro has repeatedly said he was "frustrated" with his lack of production, which included a since-deleted post on his X account complaining about not getting the ball enough.
“Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” Samuel wrote at the time.
Samuel is entering the final year of his contract and is owed $17.55 million in 2025, which will be a factor in team's interest in acquiring him via trade. The Niners drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft and extended wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk last offseason.
Samuel is coming off a season in which he recorded 51 receptions, his lowest total since an injury-riddled 2020 season, as well as 670 yards and three touchdowns.