49ers & Deebo Samuel Leaning Toward a Split

At his end-of-season press conference, John Lynch insisted that the 49ers had no plans to part ways with Deebo Samuel this offseason. However, that stance appears to be shifting, with reports suggesting a potential departure could be on the horizon.

Ideally, the 49ers would trade Samuel for a valuable draft pick, but recent evaluations suggest they may only receive a fourth-round pick in return. The situation is further complicated by financial ramifications—if San Francisco trades Samuel before June 1, they would take a massive $15 million hit in salary cap space.

With the 49ers having committed to Brandon Aiyuk last season—giving him the fifth-highest contract among wide receivers—it makes sense to move on from Samuel to avoid further cap complications.

NFL.com's Matt Okada weighed in, stating that the 49ers could be leaning toward releasing Deebo Samuel with a post-June-1 designation. “San Francisco’s goal will likely be to trade former All-Pro wideout Deebo Samuel,” Okada stated. “But if they can't find the right suitor or trade package, he could become a post-June-1 cut candidate instead.”

Samuel’s 2024 season was underwhelming, as he managed just 806 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns. His struggles were further highlighted by five dropped passes, two fumbles, and a career-low 3.2 yards per carry—once a key part of what set him apart from other receivers.

A post-June-1 release of Samuel would save the 49ers over $5 million—far better than the financial hit they’d take by trading him before the deadline. Given these factors, the decision seems increasingly clear. The most pragmatic move appears to be designating him as a post-June-1 cut, making his departure feel inevitable at this point.