Owens did share the following, though, courtesy of NBC Sports Bay Area.
"I've talked to him personally. I know what's going on," Owens said before his Fan Controlled Football game over the weekend. "I know what transpired. Until he's ready to say what happened with that situation, I just keep that between us. But it's unfortunate."
Whatever the reasons for the recent rift, it led to a trade request from Samuel. The 49ers are unwilling to grant that wish and remain hopeful that a contract extension with their do-it-all receiver can come to fruition.
Samuel had a breakout year last season, accumulating 1,770 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns and setting a new single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a wide receiver with eight.
Meanwhile, Owens offered the following advice to the 49ers, the team that drafted him in 1996.
"When you think about the productivity that he brought to that team, playing running back and receiver, there's no way they should be balking," Owens said. "They should be wanting to pay this guy what he's worth. ... To pay this guy not market value with the production that he's putting on the field, that's not cool."
Samuel has not been present with his teammates during the 49ers' offseason program, which kicked off on April 19. The team's only mandatory minicamp will be held from June 13-15.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
John Lynch: 49ers plan to honor Deebo Samuel's request to leave
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch spoke with reporters on Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, confirming that there has been significant interest in wide receiver Deebo Samuel from other NFL teams. Samuel requested a trade in January, and the... -
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans 'definitely interested' in 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
Seven weeks after telling Bay Area reporters that the San Francisco 49ers planned to keep wide receiver Deebo Samuel for the 2025 season, general manager John Lynch confirmed that the team and the star playmaker are now headed for a split. Samuel requested a trade in January,... -
Report: Broncos not interested in acquiring 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed Wednesday that the team plans to honor Deebo Samuel's request to play elsewhere in 2025. Whether that comes via trade or release remains uncertain. "Hopefully, we find a great place," Lynch said. "Then we'll have to make... -
ESPN predicts 'perfect trade outcome' for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
There's no scenario in which trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel results in a "perfect" outcome for the San Francisco 49ers. Any trade before June 1 would trigger a significant salary cap hit, making it far more cost-effective to keep the disgruntled receiver for the final year...