4 reasons why 49ers shouldn’t budge on Deebo Samuel trade request
By Peter Panacy
Reason No. 3: 49ers can easily rectify Deebo Samuel usage
If we take Ian Rapoport’s report as gospel and assume Deebo Samuel is less frustrated about San Francisco’s initial extension offer and more upset about the way in which he was used last season, there’s a relatively simple way to fix it.
Don’t use him as a “wide back” any longer.
OK, maybe not entirely reject that kind of usage. But certainly not to the point where he’s getting 59 regular-season rushing touches.
Read More: 49ers playing with fire using Deebo Samuel as a ‘wide back’
As a wide receiver, Samuel will still risk his body to serious injury. That’ll never change. However, if that’s the true reason why Samuel wants out, all head coach Kyle Shanahan has to do is revert him back to playing his natural position.
Something NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco pointed out shortly after Samuel’s trade request broke:
If Deebo Samuel has an issue with how he was used ... 1) He and Kyle Shanahan have a good relationship and can easily work it out to satisfy both sides; 2) His WR/RB role is what makes him unique and more attractive to any team willing to trade for him and pay him big money.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) April 20, 2022
The 49ers merely have to bend to Samuel’s usage request, although it’d probably help if they looked at him as a top wide receiver and (eventually) paid him accordingly.