MMQB: 49ers Could Cut Deebo Samuel if They Don't Get 'the Right' Trade Offer

San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel confirmed Sunday that the team has given him permission to seek a trade. But his time with the organization is likely over even if such a deal doesn't materialize.

As Albert Breer of SI.com reported Monday, the Niners "could cut him if the right offer doesn't come along, with Brandon Aiyuk now signed long-term and the team's 2024 first-round pick, Ricky Pearsall, having already flashed his potential."

That would be a shocking time to Samuel's end in San Francisco, though as Breer noted, "his injury history, declining production, contract status (with a big, non-guaranteed number for next year, and his contract expiring after that), and San Francisco's depth of investment at the position made the former first-team All-Pro the most logical first piece to move."

The Niners are going to get a lot more expensive once Brock Purdy signs a long-term extension. In many ways, Christian McCaffrey's versatility in the pass and run game has taken away some of Samuel's importance to the team's offense. The Niners have solid options at wideout and a tight end in George Kittle who was fantastic in 2024. There are a lot of mouths to feed, both from a salary and touches perspective.

So the 29-year-old Samuel—who had a down year in 2024, catching 51 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 136 yards and a score in 15 games, despite Aiyuk and McCaffrey missing significant time due to injuries—is the odd man out.