ESPN: 49ers' Deebo Samuel Not Expected to Return 'A Lot' in Trade Amid NFL Rumors

The 2025 season is set to be the final one on Deebo Samuel's contract, and that reportedly doesn't give the San Francisco 49ers much leverage in any trade negotiations to come this offseason.

"I don't anticipate that the 49ers will get a lot for Samuel because he is also going to have to need to be extended," ESPN's Jeff Darlington said on Thursday's episode of SportsCenter. "And it's pretty clear that the 49ers will likely have to cut him if they don't trade him, so they really don't hold much leverage here."

At this point, teams around the league know Samuel isn't coming back to the 49ers.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl that San Francisco gave the wide receiver permission to seek a trade. 

"It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have," Samuel said. "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."

Samuel also responded to the report on social media after previously expressing his frustrations with his usage in a since-deleted post during the season:

This could be an opportunity for another team to get a game-changing wide receiver at a bargain price.

After all, the South Carolina product is still just 29 years old and showed what he can do with more opportunities as a Pro Bowler in 2021 with 77 catches for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 59 carries for 365 yards and eight scores.

He was a major part of the team's trips to the Super Bowl in the 2019 and 2023 seasons as well, although his numbers dropped off as the 49ers went 6-11 in 2024.

Samuel finished last season with 670 receiving yards, 136 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.

Despite those solid-but-unspectacular numbers, this is still a playmaker with quite the track record and an ability to impact games as a receiver and runner. That he could be available for a discounted price should be enticing to any team that needs help at the receiver position.

As for the 49ers, they will look to get what they can back in return for a receiver who has his sights set on playing elsewhere.