In hindsight, the 49ers should have traded Samuel a year ago instead of using his contract to create salary cap space. Now there’s a $15.4 million bonus due on March 22 and a potential “dead money” vacuum of more than $31 million depending on when he’s traded or released.

Speculation is swirling about which team Deebo Samuel will play for in 2025. In January, the wide receiver requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers, and the team granted him permission to seek a new home.

Deebo Samuel — it began with a Super Bowl loss to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, and it ended with missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. On the field, Samuel was a long way from his usual explosive self,