49ers' Deebo Samuel again wants to be traded and his exit now appears inevitable

[Auggie]

San Francisco Chronicle / Feb 9, 2025

The 49ers have granted Deebo Samuel and his agent permission to locate a trade partner after the wide receiver asked to be dealt during his exit meeting with head coach Kyle Shanahan last month, ESPN reported.

Samuel, 29, said Sunday that it was a “hard conversation” to have with Shanahan and he was grateful to the 49ers, his employer for his first six seasons, “but now it’s best that we find another team.”

SNIP

Samuel averaged 3.2 yards per carry after he averaged 6.3 yards per rushing attempt in his first five seasons (2019-23), the highest average in the NFL among players with 150-plus rushes over that span. In 2024, he averaged a broken tackle every 10.3 touches. From 2019 through 2023, he averaged a broken tackle every 6.4 touches.

There has been speculation that Samuel’s dropoff could be at least partly tied to the added punishment he has absorbed due his backfield role and a violent running style.

Link (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/49ers-explore-trading-deebo-samuel-disappointing-20157058.php

Samuel's best days are behind the often-injured receiver. It's a smart move. Get another draft pick.

[underpants]

1. When he's healthy he's a helluva force on the field

He’s only been injured this year as far as I know.

He a fantastic multiple threat AND blocks well on runs and downfield. SF is going to have a hard time getting back to where they were when everyone was healthy without him. Hey anywhere he goes is going to be very different than it was.

[Auggie]

2. 49ers will be fine. Just design new plays without him.

Seriously. The Deebo show was becoming easier to defend.

[calguy]

3. It's best for the Niners to part ways with Deebo.

He’s given us some fantastic plays over his six years with SF, but his production fell off a cliff after he got the big money contract. It doesn’t matter if he lost some incentive, or if injuries were 100% of the problem. Bottom line is, he’s not earning his big money on the field, and his leaving will free up come cap space. I wish him good luck, and thank him for the memories, but it’s time for him to go.

[Auggie]

4. +1