Samuel's request is a way of getting ahead of a divorce that has felt inevitable since last offseason when the 49ers drafted receiver Ricky Pearsall No. 31 overall and signed wideouts Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk to contract extensions.

During Super Bowl week, it was reported the San Francisco 49ers are expected to explore trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel this offseason. The All-Pro weapon just turned 29 years old, and is due $17.55 million in what is the final season of a three-year extension he signed in 2022.

San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel confirmed Sunday that the team has given him permission to seek a trade. But his time with the organization is