The Athletic’s Dianna Russini caught up with the 49ers wide receiver who might now be a trade candidate.
While 49ers fans shiver at the thought of Deebo Samuel being traded, Samuel is just chilling.
We are letting the news sink in that the San Francisco 49ers drafted Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Maybe an offensive tackle was even more of a reach, maybe they believe in Ambry Thomas more and don’t need another cornerback. Or maybe they just like Pearsall, in any case, they have another wide receiver. Of course drafting Pearsall means Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel could be in play for a trade.
The Aiyuk rumors have been going on for months, but this is the first we’ve heard of Deebo Samuel being on the block. Regardless if he’s traded in 2024, the drafting of Pearsall is seen by many as the 49ers drafting Samuel’s replacement in 2025 and beyond. Shortly after the pick, the reports came in that a Deebo trade could very well be in play for Day 2. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini was able to speak to Samuel about all of this madness:
I spoke to Deebo Samuel on the phone and asked his reaction to the 49ers’ drafting of his potential replacement, and to the reports that they explored trading him. “I know what’s going on,” he said, “but it is what it is. I’m good staying with them. I’m chilling.”
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 26, 2024
Only the San Francisco 49ers can consistently output this drama at this time of year. Just days earlier it was reported that Deebo was assured he wouldn’t be traded. This was repeated by Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch Thursday evening. Now we’re finding out with Pearsall that all the wide recievers are in play.
The scary thing about Samuel in particular is that he was assured this wasn’t happening (allegedly). Should a deal transpire one has to wonder how the locker room will perceive this when Deebo was told one thing and the 49ers did the opposite a few days later. Other players can’t appreciate that.
That said, Samuel seems to be just taking it one day at a time like everyone else. He’s seen this happen before when Jimmy Garoppolo’s replacement was drafted in Trey Lance, and that may have been more messy.
After letting the pick sink in after some frustration last night, I’d like to think they keep everyone together and that wide receiver room in 2024 will be absolutely filthy. Pearsall is a cheaper option to someone like Deebo. I also wonder now that Brock Purdy isn’t a “will he or won’t he” injury question like last year if the 49ers transition to a more pass-happy offense thanks to Purdy’s accuracy. It’s not Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback anymore. Or Trey Lance. Maybe Deebo isn’t as necessary if that’s the case.
But I, like many others really don’t know what the hell is going on.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login