Niners Nation
The 49ers general manager answered questions at the NFL combine about wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
On the eve of the NFL Scouting Combine, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch spoke to reporters about the early offseason. Lynch was asked about the status of veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Samuel, of course, requested a trade following a down 2025 season. While it is the second time in his career he has asked the Niners for a trade, San Francisco is in a better position to move on from the 2021 All-Pro. Lynch confirmed as much on Wednesday.
According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, Lynch reiterated to reporters that 49ers have maintained a solid relationship with Samuel, but intend to let him act on his desire to land elsewhere. “We’re at least allowing him to look,” Lynch said. When asked about potential suitors, Lynch added that “there’s been a lot of interest around the league.”
Of course, it’s obvious why teams would be interested in Samuel. Even in a down 2025, he still amassed 806 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 51 receptions and 42 carries. While he has not been able to match his incredible 2021 campaign, that saw him record 1,405 receiving yards and 14 total touchdowns, he still racked up more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2024.
However, the question is not whether Samuel will have a suitor, but whether the Niners will be able to recoup enough in return to justify a trade. Samuel is scheduled to make $17.5 million in cash this season, with the big number being a $15.4 option bonus coming on March 22nd. If they traded Samuel, the Niners would have to eat more than $31 million in dead money this season. It still seems most likely that he will be a designated post-June 1st cut.
