Deebo Samuel is requesting a trade from the 49ers, he told an ESPN reporter Wednesday.
Samuel, after ascending to All-Pro status last season in his third year with the 49ers, did not give an exact reason for his desire to leave the franchise, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported.
The 49ers’ brass, from CEO Jed York to coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, have insisted this offseason their intent to sign Samuel to a well-earned contract extension, for which he and other 2019 draft products became eligible for this offseason, including defensive end Nick Bosa.
After breaking out as a receiving and rushing threat last season, Samuel now has “issues with how he’s used” and his displeasure is not driven by money, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Samuel’s agent, Tory Dandy of CAA Football, did not immediately return a message seeking comment, nor did the 49ers promptly reply publicly to Samuel’s request.
Samuel, last season’s offensive catalyst to the NFC Championship Game, recently dropped hints of his displeasure with contract talks. He scrubbed all connections to the 49ers on social media, where he claimed last Friday that he’s been subjected to death threats and racial taunts.
Samuel also endorsed an Instagram comment that he should not settle for less than $25 million annually, and his brother relayed the trade request in a comment on a fan’s Facebook post.
Samuel was not present Tuesday at the start of the 49ers’ offseason program, which is voluntary. He was not the only player to bypass the voluntary session, and among those absent was quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is rehabilitating his surgically repaired shoulder elsewhere with the team’s consent.
Samuel, last season, became the 49ers’ first wide receiver to garner Associated Press All-Pro honors since Terrell Owens in 2000-02. Owens’ 49ers tenure ended with him getting dealt in 2004 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
A second-round draft pick out of South Carolina, Samuel emerged into a dynamic and productive asset last season. He led the NFL with 18.2 yards per catch while totaling 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns. It was his rushing ability (59 carries, 365 yards) that also sparked the 49ers’ midseason turnaround, as his eight touchdown runs were the most in a season by a NFL wide receiver. He scored a touchdown both rushing and receiving in the 49ers’ three playoff games, and he was deployed as a kick returner to help spark their divisional playoff win at Green Bay.
Who might be interested in trading for Samuel? Probably 31 other teams.
The New York Jets have the potential to offer an attractive package, what with them holding four picks in the top 38 of next week’s draft (Nos. 4, 10, 35 and 38). The Jets are coached by former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and their offensive coordinator is Mike LaFleur, a former Shanahan assistant who could use a go-to weapon for young quarterback Zach Wilson.
Another former Shanahan assistant is coaching the Miami Dolphins, but Mike McDaniel’s club already made a big move last month in acquiring wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs. The Dolphins, in return, gave the Chiefs five draft picks: first-, second- and fourth-rounders this year, and fourth- and sixth-round picks next year.
That package is likely what the 49ers would command for Samuel, more so than what the Packers got in return (first- and second-round picks) for sending wide receiver Davante Adams to the Raiders. Hill and Adams reset the market ceiling for receiver salaries, along with the Bills’ extension with Stefon Diggs, all of which led to speculation that Samuel will want at least $25 million annually and perhaps more in a reported quest for the richest salary of a non-quarterback.
Samuel spent last weekend in his native South Carolina, attending alumni festivities and sharing Easter with his 3 1/2-month-old son. The closest NFL franchises to his hometown of Inman, S.C., are the Carolina Panthers, the Atlanta Falcons, the Tennessee Titans.
The 49ers’ other wide receivers are Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Marcus Johnson, Malik Turner, Austin Mack, Connor Wedington, KeeSean Johnson.
Dealing Samuel could help the 49ers’ recapture picks in next week’s draft, having traded away first- and third-round selections as part of last year’s move up to No. 3 where they took quarterback Trey Lance. Here is where the 49ers are currently slated to pick: Round 1 (none), 2 (No. 61 overall), 3 (Nos. 93, 105), 4 (No. 134), 5 (No. 172), 6 (Nos. 187, 220, 221), 7 (No. 262).
