INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 26 (UPI) — The San Francisco 49ers are working to honor wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s trade request, general manager John Lynch told reporters Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.
“We’re on good terms with Deebo,” Lynch said at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. “I think he’s asked for a fresh start and I think we’re gonna honor that. I don’t like seeing great players [leave] and he is a great player. He is one of my favorite draft picks in my time.”
Samuel requested a trade earlier this off-season. The six-year veteran has one year remaining on his contract. The 49ers restructured that deal in September, saving more than $16 million in salary cap space last season.
“Everything is good, but at some point, time happens,” Lynch said. “He asked for that. There are contracts and things. It probably makes sense. We are at least allowing him to look and we’re having conversations. We’ll see where that goes.”
Samuel, 29, totaled 670 yards and three scores on 51 catches last season. He also totaled 42 carries for 136 yards and a score over 15 starts. The 2021 Pro Bowl selection totaled 5,935 yards from scrimmage and 42 scores over 81 career appearances for the 49ers.
The 49ers would absorb $31.55 million in dead money if they trade Samuel before June 1. He is due a $15.4 million option bonus March 22.
If the 49ers use a post-June 1 designation on the transaction before his option bonus is due, they could decrease their salary cap hit to $10.7 million over the next two seasons.
Lynch also announced Wednesday that the 49ers have started negotiations with quarterback Brock Purdy fora a long-term contract extension.
Purdy is to make $5.2 million in 2025, the final year of his rookie contract.
