The Uncertainty Surrounding Deebo Samuel’s Future with the 49ers

The off-season of 2024 was filled with whispers and speculations about Deebo Samuel’s future with the San Francisco 49ers. His name frequently came up in trade rumors during the first round of the NFL Draft, with many questioning whether the versatile wide receiver would continue to wear the red and gold. Despite these ongoing talks, 49ers general manager John Lynch was quick to shut down any notions of moving on from one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers.

John Lynch’s Strong Reassurance

When asked about Samuel’s status for the 2025 season during an end-of-season press conference, Lynch was clear and concise: “Yeah. A good player and has done a ton for this organization and we’re not in the business of letting good players go.” His quick dismissal of trade rumors came as a surprise, especially following a year where Samuel’s performance didn’t match the high expectations set during training camp. Despite showing promise, Samuel finished the season with only 806 yards from scrimmage—his second-lowest career total—and just four touchdowns, a sharp contrast to the 12 touchdowns he scored the previous year.

Why the 49ers Aren’t Ready to Let Go

While it’s understandable that the 49ers might have considered moving on from Samuel, especially with the potential for a trade return, the reality is that San Francisco likely isn’t ready to give up on him. The 49ers have seen Samuel put up double-digit touchdown seasons twice in the last four years, and they know the potential he possesses when fully healthy. There is still plenty of faith within the organization that Samuel can bounce back, especially considering the uncertainties surrounding fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from a severe knee ligament injury.

Overlooked Factors: Injuries and Health Struggles

While Samuel’s underwhelming statistics in 2024 raised some eyebrows, there were several underlying factors that contributed to his struggles. A knee injury during a Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings hampered his progress, causing him to miss Week 3. However, a more significant issue came when Samuel contracted pneumonia, which forced him to miss the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. His illness, which was initially downplayed, ultimately led to him being hospitalized after the game.

These health issues were a major setback for Samuel, and as Draft Sharks’ Jared Smola pointed out, there was a noticeable drop in his performance after he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Before the illness, Samuel was averaging 10.5 yards per target and 2.19 yards per route. After his return, those numbers dropped to 6.8 yards per target and 1.26 yards per route. It’s clear that recovering from a respiratory illness takes time, and Samuel was never able to find his rhythm afterward. While he won’t use this as an excuse for some of his mistakes—such as a crucial drop in a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams—his health challenges were undoubtedly a factor in his disappointing season.

Samuel’s Special Teams Contributions

One bright spot from Samuel’s 2024 season was his performance as a return man. Although the 49ers may be reluctant to use him in this role frequently due to the increased injury risk, Samuel proved himself to be a dynamic kick returner. He led all players with at least 10 kick return attempts in return average, with an impressive 35.65 yards per return. This contribution came at a crucial time for the 49ers, whose special teams struggled significantly throughout the season, ultimately leading to the firing of special teams coordinator Brian Schneider. Given the 49ers’ need for improvement in this area, Samuel could see more opportunities in 2025 as a key contributor on special teams.

Looking Ahead: A Healthy and Impactful Deebo Samuel

Despite a tough 2024 season, the 49ers know exactly what they have in Deebo Samuel. When healthy, he’s one of the most versatile and dangerous players in the league, capable of making a huge impact both as a wide receiver and on special teams. The organization is likely holding on to him in hopes that he can fully recover and return to the form that made him a key part of their offense in previous years.

In conclusion, the 49ers’ decision to keep Samuel is likely influenced by a combination of factors: his past performances, his potential to impact special teams, and the desire to see him fully healthy again. With these considerations in mind, it seems highly probable that Deebo Samuel will remain a central figure in the 49ers’ plans for the 2025 season, provided he can overcome the health challenges that derailed his 2024 campaign.