Speculation: The Deebo Samuel Sr. trade request may have been more mutual than it appeared.
Success
Deebo Samuel has experienced significant success since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He has become known as a receiver who excels after the catch, showcasing his ability to run through opposing defenders and maintain his balance. For a long time, it was assumed that a quick slant to Deebo was almost guaranteed to result in a touchdown.
However, he didn't stop there. His skill with the ball led the coaching staff to utilize him in the backfield, where he continued to thrive. In fact, he even coined the term "wideback" to describe his unique role. His best statistical season came in 2021 when he amassed over 1,700 all-purpose yards. So, with all this success, why did Deebo request a trade this January?
A Look Back
Deebo was exactly what the 49ers needed—until he wasn't. Reflecting on his career, it wasn't all smooth sailing. For one, Deebo is compensated as top-tier talent but has only surpassed 1,000 receiving yards once in his career. While he does pose a threat in the backfield, the necessity of that role is questionable given the presence of Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason. This question becomes even more pressing with the emergence of Isaac Guerendo, an ultra-fast wide receiver turned running back.
Deebo's lack of 1,000-yard seasons can be attributed to various factors, but ultimately, much of the responsibility lies with him. Deebo has an impressive ability to make tough catches, but he has also shown a frustrating tendency to drop easy passes. If we were to rank the 49ers receivers by "best hands," I would place Deebo fourth, behind Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall.
Even more concerning is Deebo's struggle with separation. Brock Purdy has excelled in the league by throwing accurately and with anticipation, but when Aiyuk was injured, no one was left to create separation. How many perfect throws can a quarterback be expected to make? This lack of separation contributed to a down year for the entire offense.
While Kyle Shanahan shares some blame for keeping Pearsall limited all season, the reality is that when you invest heavily in a receiver like Deebo, you need him to be able to separate from defenders.
My Speculated Truth
This is purely speculative, but I believe the trade request from Deebo Samuel was not one-sided. The 49ers likely recognized that Deebo had become somewhat of a liability and needed to either move on from him or reduce his role. When the two sides met, this was likely discussed, and Deebo may have come to the conclusion that if he wanted to remain a starter in the NFL, he needed a fresh start.
Regardless of the outcome, Deebo deserves our gratitude for his dedication and willingness to sacrifice his body for the team. He was truly what the 49ers and their fans needed—until he wasn't.