Deebo Samuel Trade Talks Heat Up Ahead of NFL Free Agency

INDIANAPOLIS — Trade discussions surrounding San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel have intensified as the NFL offseason approaches. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on the recent interest from teams, including the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos also expressing interest.

Sources told FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz that Houston and Washington have shown a stronger inclination to pursue a deal for Samuel, as negotiations have reportedly made progress in recent days. However, the Steelers and Broncos have also checked in, although they might be less aggressive in their pursuit.

Samuel is coming off a disappointing 2024 season, having recorded 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. This marks a stark contrast from his All-Pro season in 2021 when he had 1,405 receiving yards. Pittsburgh General Manager Omar Khan emphasized that upgrading the wide receiver position is a priority for the Steelers this offseason. Yet, recent reports suggest that they may not be pursuing Samuel as vigorously as expected.

To facilitate a trade, the 49ers might need to absorb a portion of Samuel’s salary. Additionally, any trade would require the Steelers to surrender some draft assets. The Texans’ head coach DeMeco Ryans has previously worked with Samuel during his stint as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, while Commanders GM Adam Peters has ties to San Francisco’s front office.

Washington seeks to enhance its receiving corps to complement star receiver Terry McLaurin. The Texans, too, are in the market, especially since wideout Stefon Diggs is set to become a free agent while Tank Dell is anticipated to miss the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury.

For Pittsburgh, it seems more likely that any wide receiver acquisition will occur through free agency rather than trade. The Steelers are actively evaluating several wide receivers at the NFL Combine. Given Samuel’s inconsistent performance last season and his approaching age-29 season, the Steelers might hesitate to invest heavily in acquiring him when other teams could be prepared to offer more.

As free agency opens in two weeks, the likelihood of Samuel joining the Steelers appears slim, pushing them to explore alternative options in the market instead.