"49ers know where I stand with them and it's nothing but love," Samuel wrote. "Love [GM] John [Lynch] and [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] to death no bad blood no way shape or form. They know I'm more than appreciative of everything they done for me as a player and a man nothing but love [love]."
Over the weekend, the 49ers agreed to trade Samuel to the Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick—a surprisingly low return considering his breakout 2021 season, when he racked up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns.
Of course, since then, Samuel's production—and stock—has declined. He finished last season with just 806 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns as the 49ers struggled to a disappointing 6-11 record.
Now, Samuel gets the fresh start he sought after requesting a trade during January's exit interviews. He'll join the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, quarterback Jayden Daniels, and play alongside a fellow 2019 draft pick, wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
Samuel addresses weight reports
Samuel also responded to reports about his weight during the 2024 season. Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard initially reported that Samuel was about 20 pounds overweight, with The Athletic's Matt Barrows recently confirming he'd also heard about the weight issues.
"He had pneumonia in Week 7, and an array of injuries — calf, ribs, oblique and wrist — throughout the year kept him out of practices," Barrows wrote. "And when Samuel didn't practice, he gained weight. A lot of weight. Let's just say he crossed that 220-pound threshold with gusto and at one point tipped the scales at what you might want your starting tight end to be."
Samuel clarified that his weight peaked at "225 to be exact" and expressed his excitement for the upcoming season.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan addresses what 49ers drafting a CB means for Deommodore Lenoir
The San Francisco 49ers used their final Day 2 draft pick on Western Kentucky cornerback Upton Stout, addressing a position of need. Some experts expected the team to prioritize cornerback earlier, with several mock drafts even projecting Michigan's Will Johnson to the 49ers at... -
George Kittle reports to 49ers for offseason program
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle rejoined his teammates in Santa Clara on Friday to participate in the team's offseason program that began earlier in the week. There was speculation that Kittle's absence at the start might be contract-related, as the tight end enters... -
Fred Warner reports to 49ers for offseason workouts
While tight end George Kittle may not be in Santa Clara for the start of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason program, quarterback Brock Purdy has reported in. Both players are working toward contract extensions, and Purdy's presence may signal that talks between him and the team... -
The Good, the Bad, and the Head Scratchers: Grading the 49ers' Draft
Multiple factors go into judging a draft. The simple quality of the players is paramount. However, key categories are also needed: what other players were still available at the time, and value (would he have been available later?). Below are my assessments of the players the...