The San Francisco 49ers have no plans to trade Deebo Samuel during or after the 2024 NFL Draft, according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking. This decision comes amidst speculation that Aiyuk could be traded to accommodate a potential monster extension for himself. Samuel, who signed a three-year, $71.55 million extension before the 2022 season, has received assurances from the team that he will remain with the organization.
General manager John Lynch has expressed his desire to keep Aiyuk long-term and is optimistic about reaching an agreement. “I’ve communicated on many occasions: our wish is that he’s here and part of the Niners for the rest of his career,” Lynch said, via ESPN. “We’re working through that … I can say we’re having good talks, and I’m just going to leave it at that.”
Aiyuk is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and is expected to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. Spotrac projects his market value at $24.9M per season, which would put him right behind Philadelphia Eagles receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith ($25M per year) as the fifth highest-paid WR in the league. Aiyuk has unfollowed the 49ers on social media and made it known he values getting paid more than he does staying in San Francisco, but that hasn’t deterred Lynch.
Of the 28 receivers with 1,000 or more yards in 2023, Aiyuk’s 17.9 yards per reception was second-best behind only Pittsburgh’s George Pickens (18.1). The 26-year-old is set to earn $14.12M in 2024 on his fifth-year option and is extension-eligible. Samuel went through a similar situation as Aiyuk two offseasons ago. He was reportedly put on the trade block ahead of the draft, and the 49ers entertained some offers for him but ultimately kept and signed him to an extension two months later.
