The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel, as indicated by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. While there remains uncertainty about Samuel's future in San Francisco, both parties appear to be amenable to the option of parting ways if circumstances dictate it.

Samuel's performance this season has shown a decline from his previous standards, as he recorded 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns over 15 games. His usage on the field has been a subject of concern for him. In a now-deleted post on X from December, Samuel expressed his frustration, stating he was "not struggling at all just not getting the ball!" Although he later removed the post, he maintained his stance during a press conference, confirming his feelings of frustration regarding the situation.

Should a trade materialize, hints regarding the 49ers' intentions could be inferred from the team's activities over the past offseason. San Francisco invested a first-round draft pick in rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and secured Brandon Aiyuk's services with a lucrative $120 million extension. Despite Aiyuk's current recovery from ACL and MCL injuries that sidelined him for the remainder of the season after just seven games, the organization appears poised to shift its focus to Aiyuk and Pearsall as key components of their passing strategies moving forward. However, any potential trade involving Samuel may encounter complications, as the 49ers have financial incentives to delay any moves until after the draft. Executing a trade before June 1 would impose a significant $31 million in dead money, along with a $15.2 million cap hit. Conversely, trading Samuel on June 2 or afterward would enable the team to distribute the dead money over the 2025 and 2026 seasons while gaining $5.2 million in salary cap relief. Thus, clarity on Samuel's fate may not be imminent.