The NFL’s wide receivers have dominated the offseason. Thick contract extensions and big trades created discussion. One big topic during draft week was Deebo Samuel. The receiver, who seems to want to leave the San Francisco 49ers, remains right there for now, though. What will happen to the 26-year-old now?

Munich – The 2022 NFL Draft was full of surprises.

Quarterbacks were drafted late and established wide receivers were traded. Besides A.J. Brown, Marquise Brown also changed teams. Both had previously left with their teams that they would not be averse to being sent to another team.

Deebo Samuel would probably say the same about himself.

The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has been calling for a trade since mid-April, wanting to leave the Bay Area. Since then, the draft has been considered a suitable time for the 26-year-old to make a move. Thus, the “Niners” could have secured a high draft pick in exchange for Samuel and possibly provided for a replacement right away.

But why did nothing happen? And what happens next for Samuel now?

Great interest from the New York Jets?

There have been trade enquiries and trade offers. That much is certain by now. The New York Jets in particular are said to have made an effort for the 26-year-old. General manager John Lynch is said to have received an offer from the Jets, but the two teams did not reach an agreement. The Jets, who would have sent their tenth pick to California, wanted to trade further picks with the 49ers. The 49ers, however, were not willing to do so.

Head coach Mike Shanahan said after the third round, “Losing a player like Deebo would not help your organisation. So we try to look at all aspects and see what others are willing to give up. We don’t think anything we were offered would have been fair to us or the Niners.”

So Deebo Samuel is staying in San Francisco (for now). Shanahan, meanwhile, continues to believe that a departure of the star can be avoided: “We have a good relationship with Deebo. I haven’t seen much of him since the end of the season, but I’m hoping that after the draft everything will be easier and we can sort out the situation. A lot can happen in this league. “

49ers take care of business in draft

So right now, it seems likely that Samuel will start the season with the 49ers. In part because the Jets drafted a wide receiver with their tenth pick in Garrett Wilson. However, if the situation between the 49ers and Samuel worsens in the coming weeks, the Jets could potentially take another run at him.

The 49ers, meanwhile, seem prepared for all possible scenarios.

In round three, the “Niners” selected a new running back in Tyrion Price-Davis and a new receiver in Danny Gray. Even if Samuel ends up staying in San Francisco long-term, they can take work off his shoulders in the coming season. Last season, Samuel accounted for 28 percent of all scrimmage yards for the 49ers. In the long run, this could be detrimental, especially to his health.

One of Samuel’s biggest requests is that he no longer be used so often as a running back. If he is granted this wish, a stay in San Francisco could also be conceivable again.