Deebo Samuel Rumors: Jets Leader for Trade, 49ers Want 'So Much' for Packers Deal

While it remains uncertain if the San Francisco 49ers will trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel, the New York Jets are reportedly considered his most likely landing spot if they do.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, "most people" in the NFL consider the Jets to be the "front-runners" for Samuel, although "some teams" don't expect the Niners to move him anytime soon.

Fowler noted that the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions are also in the mix for Samuel, but a source said it would take "so much" to trade Samuel to the Packers because of the NFC rivalry between the teams and the friendly rivalry between Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

Samuel, 26, is a hot commodity since he is coming off a career year in his third NFL season.

The former South Carolina standout was perhaps chiefly responsible for the Niners making the playoffs and reaching the NFC Championship Game, as he did it all for the offense in 2021.

In addition to setting career highs with 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns, Samuel made life miserable for opposing defenses as a ball-carrier, rushing for 365 yards and eight scores on 59 carries.

Coming off a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro season, Samuel likely wants to get paid, especially considering his style of play and the fact that he has an injury history, missing nine games in 2020.

While it was initially believed that money was the motivation behind Samuel's trade request, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last week that the manner in which the 49ers utilized him played a role in his asking for a trade:

Rapoport noted that it "does not sound like he is comfortable" being used in a dual wide receiver-running back role that requires him to take a lot of hits.

Of course, Samuel's versatility could help him land a big contract with the 49ers or elsewhere if he does ultimately get traded.

Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs all got new contracts this offseason worth well over $20 million or more per season, and it stands to reason that Samuel could get himself close to that group.

To this point, the 49ers have been publicly resistant to the idea of trading Samuel, with general manager John Lynch saying: "I can't ever imagine wanting to move on from Deebo. ... I can't envision a scenario where we would [trade him]."

The Jets were reportedly finalists in the sweepstakes to acquire Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs before the Miami Dolphins landed him, so it is no surprise that they are in the mix for Samuel as well.

Meanwhile, the Packers need a new No. 1 receiver for quarterback Aaron Rodgers after trading Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Lions just need offensive weapons in general.

San Francisco should have no shortage of suitors and strong offers if it does decide to part ways with Samuel, but for now, it appears as though the 49ers want to try everything they can to work things out.