By Jordan Long
Deebo Samuel has asked for a trade out of San Francisco, hoping to start over and sign with a new team. The wide receiver wants a new contract and the 49ers haven’t agreed to one yet. The teams who could be interested in acquiring the wide receiver include the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. Of course, there could be other teams as well.
Samuel has been very productive for the San Francisco 49ers. Since the 49ers drafted him in the 2nd round in the 2019 NFL Draft, all Samuel has done is catch the football. He totaled 167 receptions for 2,598 yards and 10 touchdowns. His average yards per catch is an impressive 15.6 yards.
Last season, Samuel showed why he deserves a new contract. He had career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns. Samuel caught 77 footballs for 1,405 yards and added 6 touchdowns. Samuel thought that was enough to show the 49ers he deserves a new contract. Unfortunately, San Francisco hasn’t felt the same way.
Green Bay and Kansas City make a lot of sense as landing spots. Green Bay has one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Aaron Rodgers. With his play, the Packers are also in the conversation to win the NFC North Division and advance in the playoffs.
The Packers, though, could use another wide receiver. Rodgers’ favorite target, Devante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders during the offseason leaving the Packers with Randall Cobb as the only productive pass catcher. They added Sammy Watkins to the team in free agency. If the Packers agree to a trade for Samuel, he boosts that receiving core. He would play opposite of Randall Cobb. Rodgers would look for him early and often because of his ability to catch the football and gain yards.
The Kansas City Chiefs also make sense as a team that could talk to the San Francisco 49ers to acquire Samuel. Kansas City is a threat to win the AFC West Division because of their quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs, though, traded one of his favorite targets, Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins.
Right now, Kansas City’s top target for Mahomes is tight end Travis Kelce. They also signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to the roster. Smith-Schuster becomes the #1 wide receiver on the depth chart. Kansas City needs another player to line up opposite of Smith-Schuster. That might be Samuel. Both of these wide receivers should be able to catch the football and gain yards which makes Mahomes’ job easier.
Both of these teams should call the 49ers to see what the asking price is. If it isn’t that high, then make a deal. Samuel’s cap hit isn’t large now at around $4.8 million.
Of course, this is all speculation. The 49ers may not even let Samuel go. A player can request a trade but that doesn’t mean it will happen. General Manager John Lynch will do what is best for the team and Samuel moving forward.
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