49ers May Part Ways with Deebo Samuel Amid Weight Concerns and Decline in Performance
The San Francisco 49ers might part ways with Deebo Samuel, citing concerns over his weight and declining performance, despite his previous significant contributions to the team.
A new report sheds light on the San Francisco 49ers' potential decision to part ways with All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
During Super Bowl 59 weekend, it was revealed that the 49ers have granted Deebo Samuel and his agent the permission to seek a trade. The 29-year-old player has one year remaining on the three-year, $71.5 million extension he signed in 2022.
Tim Kawakami from The San Francisco Standard discussed Samuel's situation on 95.7 The Game's "Willard & Dibs" show, noting that the player's weight had become a concern for the 49ers at the end of the regular season:
"I've heard for a few weeks now that the 49ers were unhappy with Deebo's weight at the end of the season. Now, he got hurt. Some of this happens, but they were not happy. We saw it. He did not have the explosion. He was not bouncing off of people. He was not running through a defense like he'd done at least two, three years ago."
Kawakami further stated that multiple members of the 49ers' front office appeared ready to move on from Deebo Samuel “for a while now,” suggesting that both parties might be set to end their association.
Samuel had previously requested a trade from the 49ers in the 2022 offseason before agreeing to the three-year extension. The 2019 second-round pick had just come off a career year, recording 1,770 scrimmage yards (1,405 receiving, 365 rushing) and 14 total touchdowns.
However, a decline in his production, coupled with injuries, the acquisition of 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall, and the rise of Jauan Jennings (who caught 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns) have made Samuel seem expendable for the team.
With Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle retaining key roles, the 49ers have a surplus of offensive talent that may not warrant keeping Samuel around. It appears mutually beneficial for both the 49ers and Samuel to part ways, allowing him to join a team where he could reclaim his status as a No. 1 receiver.
