Is Deebo Samuel on His Way Out? Steelers Emerge as Top Trade Destination for 49ers Star
The San Francisco 49ers may be preparing to part ways with a player who was once the heart and soul of their offense. Deebo Samuel, a dynamic weapon who redefined the role of a wide receiver with his ability to dominate as both a pass-catcher and a running back, could be on the trade block this offseason.
After earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2021, Samuel’s career has been slowed by injuries, and his explosiveness seemed diminished in 2024. With a dead cap hit of $31 million in 2025, the 49ers have a financial decision looming. If they choose to cut him after June 1, they can spread the cap hit over two years. However, before making that move, San Francisco is expected to explore trade options.
The challenge? Finding a team willing to take on his hefty contract.
Steelers Emerge as a Top Suitor
According to ClutchPoints’ Enzo Flojo, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most logical landing spots for Samuel.
“Few teams could benefit from Deebo Samuel’s presence more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh’s offense has been missing a true playmaker outside of George Pickens,” Flojo wrote.
“Sure, Pickens is a talented downfield threat. However, the Steelers lack a dependable, high-volume target who can thrive in multiple roles. Samuel’s versatility would allow him to fill several gaps.“
At 29 years old, Samuel is coming off a season in which he posted career lows in receiving yards per game (44.7) and receiving success rate (40.7%). Betting on a bounce-back year is risky given the short shelf life of skill players in the NFL, but Pittsburgh’s offense is in desperate need of a versatile playmaker.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
If the 49ers move on from Samuel, they’ll be relying on Brandon Aiyuk to stay healthy and hoping for a breakout season from second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall. San Francisco’s offense is still loaded with weapons, but losing a player of Samuel’s caliber would mark the end of an era.
While nothing is set in stone yet, one thing is clear: Deebo Samuel’s future in San Francisco is far from guaranteed.
