Deebo Samuel's Trade Request Will Be Honored by 49ers, John Lynch Says

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch reaffirmed the team is working with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to grant his trade request.

Samuel confirmed earlier this month that he wants out and that the Niners allowed him and his agent to explore his options.

On Wednesday, Lynch told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine the 2021 All-Pro is garnering "a lot of interest around the league," adding that the team is "allowing him to look."

When Samuel requested a trade in 2022, it ultimately resulted in him getting a three-year extension that included $58.1 million guaranteed. This time around, the 49ers will operate much more pragmatically.

The 29-year-old has failed to return to the heights he enjoyed during his career year. In 2021, he averaged 18.2 yards per reception and 87.8 receiving yards per game. Since 2022, those figures have been 13.1 and 51.0 respectively.

Lynch also has to be more conscious of the payroll than he was when Samuel signed his extension.

Quarterback Brock Purdy is in the final year of his contract. He's going to go from earning $5.3 million in 2025 to collecting $50-plus million annually on his next deal, and that will have massive implications for the 49ers.

Tight end George Kittle is also eligible for free agency in 2026, while linebacker Fred Warner headlines the group that will be hitting the open market in 2027.

San Francisco will pay a high short-term cost by trading Samuel, even if that's before he receives a $15.4 million option bonus on March 22. The move will put $31 million on the books in dead money.

The trade would give the 49ers a little more financial flexibility moving forward, though, from the standpoint it removes any chance Samuel re-signs on a market-level salary.

Lynch has an obvious incentive to give the impression he's getting overtures from multiple motivated suitors since it might help to spark a bidding war.

Assuming the GM was giving an accurate picture of the situation, it sounds like Samuel might be on a different team at some point this spring.