Deebo Samuel of San Francisco 49ers looking on.
 

San Francisco 49ers superstar wide receiver Deebo Samuel has widely been mentioned as a top trade candidate in recent days.

It has been reported over the last two days that the 49ers are taking offers on both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. But now that the first two rounds of the NFL Draft have concluded, it’s starting to look unlikely that the 49ers will trade either star.

Samuel has two years remaining on the $71.55 million extension he signed in 2022. The 26-year-old Aiyuk, coming off the best season of his young career, is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Speaking to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Samuel responded to the trade rumors and emphasized that he’d be happy to stay with the only NFL team he’s ever played for.

“I know what’s going on, but it is what it is,” Samuel told Russini. “I’m good staying with them. I’m chilling.”

The 49ers used the No. 31 pick on Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, a strong indicator that they were indeed preparing to trade Samuel or Aiyuk. But one can only assume that San Fran would want at least a second-round pick for either player, so it’s going to take more than a day-three pick to land either star at this point.

San Francisco is in win-now mode, so trading Aiyuk or Samuel for 2025 draft picks doesn’t help their chances of winning a Super Bowl next season. At any rate, we should get full clarity on the futures of both receivers soon.

49ers Should Keep Deebo Samuel

Unless the 49ers land another big-named receiver in a possible trade, it’s clear that they won’t receive equal value in return for the 28-year-old Samuel.

Since his rookie year, the 49ers have played in four NFC Championship Games and two Super Bowls. The so-called “wing back” makes the 49ers a better team, and they would be better off keeping the core together in the quest for that long-awaited sixth Super Bowl.