Report: Deebo Samuel Has Requested a Trade From the 49ers

The star wide receiver reportedly has an issue with how San Francisco used him on the field.

Deebo Samuel has requested a trade from the 49ers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. Samuel told ESPN over the phone that he has asked San Francisco to deal him somewhere else but did not elaborate why. 

Breaking News: I just spoke to wide receiver Deebo Samuel — and he told me that he has asked the 49ers to trade him.

He did not want to discuss specific reasons behind his request, but he has indeed let the 49ers know his desire to leave the organization. More to come.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) April 20, 2022

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Samuel requested a trade over a week ago and money is not the root of the demand, but Samuel does has an issue with how he’s utilized with the 49ers. This would explain why there has been no movement on extension talks with Samuel, who is entering the last year of his current deal. 

From NFL Now: For more than a week, the #49ers have been dealing with a major issue in their WRs room, as Deebo Samuel requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/PDuN2TsjHz

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2022

Money is not at the root of the issues for Deebo Samuel, otherwise that could be fixed with a big offer. But there are also issues with how he’s used. https://t.co/ZX7dKR2yik

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 20, 2022

Samuel is used unlike any other player in the NFL because of how much the 49ers depend on the receiver in the run game. Not only did Samuel catch 77 passes for 1,405 yards, but he also rushed for 365 yards on 59 carries. He finished 2021 with 14 total touchdowns and was named first-team All-Pro. The offense’s architect, Mike McDaniel, left the 49ers to coach the Dolphins. 

This all follows an ESPN report that was published Monday that detailed Samuel, along with Titans star receiver AJ Brown, would not attend their respective teams’ on-field offseason workout programs until he got a long-term extension. Commanders wideout Terry McLaurin was also mentioned to be looking for a deal but was still planning to join his team while still seeking a new deal. 

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said that “San Francisco would pay Deebo Samuel today, tomorrow, the next day,” even with the elevated market for wide receivers, but that Samuel had put a halt to the talks.

The 49ers don’t have to trade Samuel, but if they entertained a deal, the Texans would be a suitor, according to The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami. Any deal for Samuel would likely include a first-round draft pick and Houston has the Nos. 3 and 13 pick in this year’s draft. San Francisco doesn’t have a pick until No. 61. 

Guess a lot of people are just seeing this now. The reason I sent it last night is because I had a feeling something might break soon.
-Major point: I don't know if 49ers and HOU have had talks or if that would be Deebo's 1st choice. But there's chatter that HOU is interested. https://t.co/PLgWTshzRG

— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) April 20, 2022

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