Another year, another San Francisco 49ers wide receiver dominates offseason headlines. Deebo Samuel's time in San Francisco may be coming to an end after six seasons.
Our odds on Deebo Samuel moving to another team show the most likely options for the star receiver after it was reported that he was allowed to seek a trade, including from the team.
Although Samuel had a down year in 2024, he still racked up 670 yards and three touchdowns. He remains one of the NFL's best receivers, so the market for him should be competitive. Where will Samuel end up? Our top experts gave their opinions on the matter.
Odds on Deebo Samuel's next team. The market indicates that bets are being taken based on which team Samuel will play for during Week 1 of the 2025-26 NFL season.
- 49ers: +250
- Steelers: +550
- Broncos: +650
- Panthers: +650
- Commanders: +850
- Patriots: +1000
- Bills: +1200
- Chiefs: +1200
- Chargers: +1400
- Giants: +1600
- Raiders: +1600
- Ravens: +1600
- Texans: +1800
- Eagles: +2500
- Lions: +2500
- Titans: +2500
- Bears: +3000
- Packers: +3000
- Dolphins: +3500
- Jets: +3500
- Bengals: +4000
- Cowboys: +4000
- Jaguars: +4000
- Rams: +4000
- Buccaneers: +5000
- Cardinals: +5000
- Colts: +5000
- Falcons: +5000
- Browns: +7500
- Saints: +7500
- Seahawks: +7500
- Vikings: +7500
There will always be a need for star receivers in the NFL, so theoretically all 32 teams could enter the draw. However, the teams that really need receivers have the lowest odds, especially the clubs with a lot of cap space.
The San Francisco 49ers (+250) and Pittsburgh Steelers (+550) are the favorites to acquire Samuel, and in the former case, to keep him. San Francisco's +250 odds represent a 28.57% implied probability, while Pittsburgh's +550 price gives the Steelers a 15.38% implied probability of getting the new WR1. A $10 bet on these teams to win yields a $25 and $55 profit, respectively.
The Steelers are also the favorites in this market. Can Mike Tomlin add two stars to rebuild his offense and finally return to being a key player in the AFC? Time will tell.
Other teams expected to compete are the Broncos (+650), Panthers (+650), Commodores (+850) and Patriots (+1000).
Deebo Samuel's prediction for the next team
We've seen this song and dance in San Francisco before. Last offseason, the 49ers kept playing the “will he, won't he?” game with Brandon Ayuk, who used a potential trade to get a new deal. Samuel is in the final year of his current contract, so this standoff could follow a similar path.
We believe it will. San Francisco is the only betting favorite to have Samuel playing for the team in Week 1 of the 2025-26 NFL season. After what happened with Ayuk, it's hard to imagine him moving elsewhere, so the Niners are a relatively safe bet.
If there is a team that is best suited to trade Ayuk, it's the New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel and Co. believe they have a solid core capable of competing with Drake Mayeux at the quarterback position in the coming years.
The Patriots have made it clear that they are going to be aggressive in the wide receiver market. So Samuel could be one option if they miss out on Tee Higgins. New England has the draft capital and cap space needed to acquire and then extend Samuel, which is the ultimate goal for the 29-year-old.
The Patriots are also in an ideal position for Samuel, as he would be the undisputed top option on offense. This is like Tyreek Hill moving to the Miami Dolphins. It all makes too much sense, doesn't it?
Prediction: 49ers (+250) or Patriots (+1000)
Deebo Samuel contract details
Samuel is entering the final year of his three-year, $71.5 million contract. He ranks 14th on the league's list of highest-paid receivers, so it makes sense that Samuel is looking for a contract on the level of his teammate Ayuk, who ranks sixth on the same list.
How old is Deebo Samuel?
Samuel turned 29 years old in mid-January. He will turn 30 at the end of the 2025-26 NFL campaign.
Deebo Samuel's stats
Here are Deebo Samuel's career stats and notable honors.
- Games played: 81
- Receiving yards: 4,792
- Receiving touchdowns: 22
- Rushing yards: 1,143
- Rushing touchdowns: 20
- One-time first-team All-Pro
- One-time Pro Bowler
