Report: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade
Apr 20, 2022, 9:03 AM | Updated: 9:47 am
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
It all started two weeks ago when San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel removed all association with the franchise from his social media accounts.
After days of reports that the All-Pro receiver’s relationship with the 49ers has soured, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed on Tuesday that the 26-year-old doesn’t want to get a contract extension done with San Francisco:
“San Francisco would pay Deebo Samuel today, tomorrow, the next day. It’s not hard to figure out what the contract would look like, we’ve seen some of the top numbers in the league. This, I think right now, is Deebo Samuel not wanting to get a deal done. The 49ers are ready. Deebo Samuel is the one who has put a halt to everything for right now.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on NFL Live (4/19/22)
Following Schefter’s report, Samuel’s brother Tyquan took to social media to state that the wide receiver “won’t be a 49er” when responding to a fan that suggested trading away the former South Carolina product.
Everything appears to be coming a head as ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported on Wednesday that Samuel has indeed requested a trade. Per the report, Samuel did not discuss specific reasons behind his request, but has made it clear that he wants out of San Francisco.
According to NFL writer Clarence Hill Jr., Samuel wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL because of his impact and versatility.
In 2021, Samuel led the NFL in Yards per Reception (18.2) while racking up career-highs across the board in receiving yards (1,405), rushing yards (365), receiving touchdowns (6) and rushing touchdowns (8).
Currently, the Pro-Bowl receiver is on the books for $3.9 million in 2022–the final season of his four-year contract.
If Samuel is seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback player in the league, he is asking for an average annual value that exceeds Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill’s $30 million AAV.
Do the 49ers think that Samuel is worth that kind of money? Signs currently point to no.
As we move deeper into the offseason, the San Francisco 49ers must decide if its time to move on from Samuel and shift their attention elsewhere when it comes to upgrading the roster.
