Deebo Samuel's Future with the 49ers Hangs in the Balance

The 49ers are thinking about trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The reason is simple, Samuel is in the final year of his contract. It's not the first time the 49ers have thought about trading Samuel. Last season, the 49ers considered trading him instead of Brandon Aiyuk. The Steelers were one possible team that could have taken him. After the season ended, 49ers GM John Lynch said they don't let good players leave. Since his All-Pro season in 2021, Samuel's stats have dropped significantly. In 2021, he had 1, 405 receiving yards and 365 rushing yards. In 2024, he had only 670 receiving yards and 136 rushing yards. His touchdowns dropped from 14 in 2021 to just 4 in 2024. In December, Samuel expressed his frustration about not getting the ball enough. You might wonder if the offense is to blame, or if it's just how Samuel is doing. The 49ers might want to trade Samuel before he gets too expensive for them. If another team wants to sign Samuel, they might hesitate because his contract might be for more than just one year. The 49ers want to get a good deal for Samuel's trade. They have to find a team that will give them what they want and make sure that Samuel is happy with the deal as well.