Rocio Robles
Deebo Samuel’s future with the San Franciscan 49ers is more than uncertain after the receiver asked team management to be traded ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
Samuel’s request reverberated throughout the team’s fan base, as well as among several teams interested in acquiring an offensive weapon that is extremely dangerous for opponents. John Lynch, 49ers general manager, was barraged with questions about this during a press conference on Monday, just days before the draft.
Although he indicated that he only wanted to talk about the draft, San Francisco’s GM had to answer some questions about the future of Deebo Samuel, one of the team’s stars last season and who would play in his final year of his rookie contract after negotiations for an extension failed.
Lynch attempted to defuse the situation by referring to Deebo Samuel as “just another player” for the 49ers, who they obviously do not want to part with and who they believe will remain with the team for many more years.
“I can’t imagine wanting to move on from Deebo. You put yourself through the exercises of, even though we don’t have a first-round pick, you have to be thorough in this process and prepare for everything. So, you go through it and do that. He’s just too good of a player… We’ve got nothing but love for him and nothing but appreciation for what he’s brought, but you just don’t let guys like that walk. So, I can’t envision a scenario where we would [trade him].”
49ers general manager John Lynch on trading Deebo Samuel.
According to several previous reports, the problem between Deebo Samuel and 49ers management has not been the money, but the way in which head coach Kyle Shanahan has used him on the gridiron, as he is not at all satisfied with the versatile role he has had playing not only as a receiver but also as a running back.
Lynch was also asked about this specific difficulty, noting that these types of conversations are held in private and that all parties are working to find a win-win solution.
Several teams are interested in Deebo Samuel
While John Lynch did not confirm that several teams were interested in acquiring Deebo Samuel, the San Francisco manager did stress that they have always been open to listening to offers for their players, that this is not something new within the team and that it does not mean that at the end of the day they will accept them.
“Since we’ve been here we’ve been consistent in the fact that we would listen to anyone. That’s something we’ll always do. But I can’t ever imagine moving on from Deebo. He’s been such a great player for us. He means so much to this franchise.”
John Lynch on listening to offers for Deebo Samuel
However, Samuel’s desire to leave San Francisco has prompted numerous teams to take Lynch’s word for it and call him to try to work out a trade for the wide receiver. In fact, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, in addition to the New York Jets’ known interest, other teams such as the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers have knocked on the door for the 25-year-old.
In 2021, Samuel became the only player in league history to record at least 1,400 yards through the air and 300 on the ground as he finished with 1,770 off the line of scrimmage. He totaled 1,405 yards, six touchdowns and averaged 18.2 yards per reception (a league-leading 18.2 yards per reception), while accumulating 365 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns on the ground.
