NFL Exec Eyes 49ers' Deebo Samuel as Trade, Cut Candidate After Season amid Rumors

Following rumors of a potential Deebo Samuel trade at the 2024 NFL draft last week, there is some belief within the league that the San Francisco 49ers will move on from the star wide receiver after the 2024 season.

According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, an anonymous NFL executive said that the Niners "may have to cut or trade" Samuel after the season.

The exec suggested that a deal isn't likely to happen prior to the season, saying, "I don't know why you would mess with a good thing now." However, the executive added that the 49ers likely "would have" traded Samuel at the draft had they been able to get a first-round pick in return.

Since wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is entering the final year of his contract in 2024, the primary trade chatter surrounding the Niners focused on him leading up to the draft.

ESPN's Dan Graziano clarified the 49ers' stance, though, reporting that their preference would have been to move Samuel rather than Aiyuk had they made a trade.

No deal went down, but general manager John Lynch did seemingly start preparing for life after Deebo or Aiyuk, as he selected Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick in the first round of the draft.

Samuel, 28, signed a three-year, $71.55 million contract extension with the Niners following a brief dispute, meaning he is now under contract through 2025.

Per Spotrac, trading Samuel before June 1 would have saved $6.8 million against the salary cap, but it also would have resulted in nearly $21.8 million in dead cap.

A post-June 1 trade would save the 49ers $21.9 million against the cap this season with $6.6 million in dead cap in 2024 and $15.1 million in dead cap in 2025.

Although that would be doable, trading Samuel before the 2024 season for draft capital that can't help until 2025 seems unlikely since the Niners reached the Super Bowl last season and figure to be contenders again this season.

A pre-June 1 release or trade in 2025 would saddle the 49ers with $15.1 million in dead cap, but it would also save them $9 million against the cap, which may be a necessary move if San Francisco signs Aiyuk to an extension.

Samuel is one of the most dangerous and versatile wide receivers in the game due to his ability to contribute as a pass-catcher and de facto running back, but that usage has also led to him often getting injured.

Deebo has never gone a full NFL season without missing at least one game, including missing four games in 2022 and two games last season.

Samuel's healthiest season in 2021 was also his best season, as he set career highs with 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and also had six receiving touchdowns. Additionally, Samuel rushed for 365 and eight scores en route to Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors.

Last season was Samuel's second-best campaign as a pass-catcher with 60 grabs for 892 yards and seven touchdowns, but he was clearly behind Aiyuk in the pecking order, as Aiyuk led the team with 1,342 receiving yards.

Samuel was also behind tight end George Kittle's 1,020 receiving yards, and he was only four on the team in catches behind Aiyuk, Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey.

That isn't to say that Samuel is necessarily expendable, but given his injury history, it may make more sense for the Niners to part ways with him than Aiyuk if forced to make a choice.

With that in mind, there could be an added sense of urgency for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers to get the job done in 2024 by winning a Super Bowl before Samuel potentially departs.