Deebo Samuel requests trade from 49ers
Star wide receiver Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers, he told ESPN's Jeff Darlington.
Samuel didn't specify the reasons for his trade request, Darlington adds.
The All-Pro receiver's request comes amid stalled contract talks. The 49ers have been trying to offer him a long-term extension, but Samuel hasn't engaged in talks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The 26-year-old is uncomfortable with how coach Kyle Shanahan used him in San Francisco's offense last season, Rapoport adds.
Samuel, who's stripped his Instagram account of all references to the 49ers, recently hinted on social media that he was looking for an extension worth at least $25 million annually.
It's unclear whether San Francisco is willing to move on from its top offensive weapon.
Samuel, who's entering the final season of his rookie contract, racked up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns last season en route to earning his first Pro Bowl nod.
The 2019 second-round pick established himself as one of football's most dynamic playmakers in 2021, piling up game-changing plays both as a receiver and runner. He caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards and six touchdowns last year, good for a league-high 18.2 yards per catch. He also put up 365 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and eight touchdowns on the ground.
Samuel's the only player in NFL history to top 1,400 receiving yards and 300 rushing yards in the same season.
The wide receiver market has exploded this offseason, largely thanks to Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill.
The Las Vegas Raiders acquired Adams from the Green Bay Packers in March and gave him a five-year, $140-million deal, which set an all-time record at the position. Hill topped that a week later after the Miami Dolphins traded for him and signed him to a four-year, $120-million contract.
Samuel is one of a handful of young star receivers looking for an extension this year along with Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders, DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks, and A.J. Brown of the Tennessee Titans.
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