49ers grant Samuel permission to seek trade
The San Francisco 49ers granted Deebo Samuel permission to seek a trade, the wide receiver told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Samuel asked to be traded during the players' exit meetings, Schefter adds.
"It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have," Samuel said Sunday, per Schefter. "But I have to do what's best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it's best that we find another team."
John Lynch, the 49ers' general manager, said at the end of the regular season that the team planned to keep Samuel for 2025. The 29-year-old had been under contract for one more season after signing a three-year, $73.5-million extension in June 2022.
Samuel had one of the worst campaigns of his career this season, posting four touchdowns and 670 receiving yards, a far cry from his 12 touchdowns and 892 receiving yards in 2023.
Samuel posted on X in December that he was wasn't getting the ball enough despite being in good form but deleted the post shortly after. Head coach Shanahan acknowledged Samuel's frustration and said the post was "water under the bridge" a couple days later.
The additional cap space could allow San Fransisco to extend quarterback Brock Purdy, who is entering the last year of his four-year, $7.77-million rookie contract. The quarterback could be paid more than $55 million annually, according to ESPN's Mike Graziano.
The 49ers finished the regular season 6-11 and missed the playoffs. They hold the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.