One insider warns teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers about trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel this offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers granted wide receiver Deebo Samuel permission to find a trade partner after he recently requested to be traded . That, of course, has led to wide receiver-needy teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers being linked to the veteran. But one insider warns interested teams before entering trade talks.
"He had a bad year," 49ers insider Tim Kawakami said on "The TK Show." "He is not in shape. I said it on last week's podcast, 20 pounds. I keep hearing it over, 20 pounds overweight. That led to a lot of his lack of explosion in their belief, his lack of ability to get through tackles. That's kind of been who he is. That's why he's so valuable."
Samuel, 29, is coming off his least productive season since 2020 when he played in just seven games. He registered just 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 136 yards and one touchdown in 2024.
It was quite the step back from 2023 when Samuel had over 1,000 total yards and 12 touchdowns.
San Francisco 49ers wid receiver Deebo Samuel against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 12, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Still, it might be worth the risk for the Steelers, who have been searching for another wide receiver since last offseason. Samuel shouldn't cost a ton to acquire, either.
The 49ers could decide to just release Samuel if they can't find a trade partner, too. But if the Steelers want to guarantee they land the former All-Pro, it might be worth sending a Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Samuel is entering the final year of his three-year contract extension that he signed prior to the 2022 season and is owed $17.5 million in 2025. San Francisco might be willing to eat some of his money to help facilitate a trade, though.
Only time will tell if Samuel still has enough gas left in the tank or is in good enough shape to be a difference-maker, but after falling short of landing any significant playmakers last offseason, the Steelers should at least make the call.
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