Deebo Samuel, the dynamic offensive weapon of the San Francisco 49ers, recently requested a trade, citing quarterback Jayden Daniels as a partial reason for his decision. The star wide receiver and running back left an indelible mark in San Francisco with 4,792 receiving yards, 22 touchdowns, and an additional 1,143 rushing yards and 20 scores. Despite having one year remaining on his contract, the 49ers traded him to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick.
Samuel, a second-round pick in 2019, quickly became a formidable force for the 49ers, known for his explosive plays both as a receiver and a running back. His standout performance peaked during the All-Pro season of 2021 when he accumulated 1,770 yards and 14 touchdowns from scrimmage. However, his tenure in San Francisco was not without challenges. Samuel described his relationship with coach Kyle Shanahan as "ridiculous," yet it was a deeper bond than just coach-player dynamics.
"One minute, he wanna knock my head off, and the next he's just going crazy, excited at something I'm doing," – Samuel
Despite the ups and downs, Samuel emphasized that there was no animosity towards the organization.
"We talked about why we thought it was a good move for both of us. And listen, for John and Kyle to send me to a team in the NFC that was almost a Super Bowl contender, it just shows you the type of love and relationship that we have." – Samuel
During his time with the 49ers, Samuel played a significant role in their Super Bowl runs but also experienced frustration during seasons that fell short of expectations. The previous season was particularly challenging for him as he finished with 806 yards from scrimmage. Nevertheless, Samuel expressed gratitude for where the 49ers sent him, acknowledging there was no ill will.
"After I talked with Kyle, I talked to [GM] John [Lynch], and he understood where I was coming from and gave me his perspective on everything," – Samuel
The trade to the Washington Commanders occurred on Super Bowl Sunday, marking the end of an era for Samuel in San Francisco. He characterized his departure as "bittersweet" but looked forward to his new chapter in Washington.
"D.C., we coming." – Samuel
Samuel's relationship with Shanahan was multifaceted, bound by mutual respect and understanding. They shared candid conversations about Samuel's future, which ultimately led to the amicable trade.
"So, we talked it out. It was hard, in its own way. But more than anything, I was just proud of the way we both handled it, as men." – Samuel
Samuel appreciated the respect shown by both Shanahan and Lynch in handling the trade proceedings.
"I know at the end of the day, they didn't have to do that." – Samuel
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