Deebo Samuel reveals why he was alarmed by 49ers GM John Lynch at NFL Trade Deadline
Earlier this month, Deebo Samuel got the scare of his life. Between the Week 9 and Week 10 schedule, it was a scary time for NFL players because the trade deadline loomed. A trade is not just about switching teams. It also means relocating to a new city, finding a new home, and uprooting families. It's like starting all over again, which can be hard, especially if the trade happens midseason.
Considering these factors, the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver got an unexpected call from the team's general manager, John Lynch, at the trade deadline.
Naturally, Samuel skipped his heartbeat over the sheer fear of getting traded. However, thankfully, Lynch's call was for a different reason: his daughter.
"I look at my phone like 'Yo, why is he calling me right now?'" Samuel recalled on an episode of Cleats and Convos.
He recalled the relief he felt:
"I answer the phone, he's like 'Yeah, man, my daughter's going to be the one running the NFL commercial that you're doing today.' I'm like 'Don't be calling me.' ... I don't think he was actually thinking about the time he was calling me. I looked down at my phone like 'Why is this man calling me right now?'"
Reportedly, Deebo was shooting for the "My Cause, My Cleats" commercial at Levi's Stadium during the timing of the call.
That said, the WR is still a proud member of the 49ers, as the deadline passed at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
San Francisco 49ers were planning to trade Deebo Samuel in 2024
In June 2024, there was a possibility of Deebo Samuel leaving the San Francisco 49ers, as reported by CBS News. The Pittsburgh Steelers were keen to onboard Samuel, however, the team was reluctant to match San Francisco's trade demands.
“It was definitely something I heard about,” Samuel confirmed. “They went back and forth on it for a bit. It was out there, but we’re moving on. I’m here, and we’re focused on getting better.”
With this in mind, Deebo Samuel is in the last two years of his current deal with the 49ers — a $71.55 million extension with the team in 2022. However, the team has the option to release him after the season is over. On the flip side, the 49ers can even consider trading Samuel in the upcoming summer. If they go for the latter, it can save the team $21.9 million against the salary cap.