**Trade Bombshell: Deebo Samuel to the Packers?! First-Round Pick Swap Shakes Up NFL!**

The San Francisco 49ers are projected to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster, first-round pick swap, a move that could drastically alter the landscape of both franchises!

The 49ers are “expected to explore trading” Samuel, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport[3]. Samuel, who is 29 years old, is due $17.55 million in the final season of a three-year extension he signed in 2022[1].

Here’s why this potential trade is generating so much buzz and debate:

* **Packers’ Need for a WR1:** The Packers need to acquire a clear No. 1 wide receiver, and adding Deebo Samuel helps them meet that need.
* **Samuel’s Declining Production:** Samuel’s production has regressed since his breakout campaign in 2021. He recorded just 806 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns in 15 games played last season[1][6].
* **49ers’ Financial Flexibility:** By executing the deal on June 2 or later, the team would spread the dead money hit across 2025 ($10.6 million) and 2026 ($20.4 million) while saving $5.2 million toward the cap[3].
* **Trade destinations:** Several receiver-needy teams should be interested in Samuel, especially if he can be had at a relative bargain[6]. Garrett Podell of CBS Sports recently listed a few potential landing spots such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos[1].

Former All-Pro receiver Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson gave the 29-year-old a warning regarding his trade request: “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side”[4].

While the 49ers are incentivized to wait well past the draft to actually make the move[3], the potential of pairing Samuel with Jordan Love in Green Bay could be too tempting to pass up[2]. With Samuel’s contract and recent performance issues, some analysts are questioning whether the Packers would be giving up too much in a first-round pick swap[2][5].