According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the 49ers could move on from Deebo Samuel in 2025 despite the receiver being under contract. It might not be a bad idea.

The San Francisco 49ers were going to have some tough conversations at the outset of 2025 regardless of how the current season went down.

However, after a sluggish first half-plus that saw head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad get out to a 5-5 start, those tough conversations might get even tougher than anticipated. Especially if the Niners fail to make the postseason for the first time since 2020.

Getting younger, cheaper, deeper and more dynamic on offense have to be the priorities, and all of those point to some potentially massive roster decisions by Shanahan and Co.

One that might including bidding farewell to wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

On the surface, parting ways with a fan-favorite like Samuel doesn’t seem like a smart move. Defenses should fear his dual-threat abilities while knowing he has that unique ability to take over games.

But, according to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, the Niners may opt to release Samuel as part of their ever-evolving roster plans entering 2025.

It might not be a bad move either.

Deebo Samuel is far removed from his 2021 All-Pro self

Samuel’s 2021 All-Pro campaign was awesome. It sealed his reputation for being a dynamic, versatile playmaker.

Unfortunately, that was years ago.

Samuel admitted his 2022 efforts were “awful” and improved upon them notably in 2023, albeit nowhere near 2021 levels. But 2024 is shaping up to be a lot more like 2022 than last season.

Through nine games, he has 490 receiving yards, 79 rush yards and two net touchdowns.

Quoting Jose Sanchez of Sports Illustrated:

“Samuel is a non-factor as a receiver. He can’t separate at all and is no better than an average receiver. It’s why he can’t do anything as an underneath receiver. He can’t break free from defenders to do what he does best as a yards-after-the-catch-playmaker. 2024 is looking like 2022 for Samuel, which isn’t surprising.”

At 28 years old, Samuel should still have a lot left to offer. And it’s possible he’s merely having a down year.

But, there are far more reasons why San Francisco might opt to part ways with him as Graziano suggested.

49ers need to save money, releasing Deebo Samuel can help

Exactly how much money the 49ers offer quarterback Brock Purdy in 2025 when he’s due for a contract extension is up for debate, but the clear answer is it’s going to be a lot.

Currently, according to Over the Cap, the Niners are projected to have a shade over $48 million in cap space next year, although a lot of that is going Purdy’s way. In 2026, the first year of Purdy’s post-rookie deal, San Francisco is projected to have a mere $5 million in cap space.

Last offseason, the 49ers approached defensive tackle Arik Armstead about accepting a pay cut. He refused, and the Niners subsequently released him with a post-June 1 designation to free up cap space.

They could do the same with Samuel, who’d have no reason to accept a decrease in pay.

Graziano said:

“Releasing Samuel and designating him as a post-June 1 cut would allow them to defray that cost over two years, and if they do decide to move on, that’s the more likely decision.”

Samuel is signed through 2025 and is due nearly $16 million next season. Per OTC, a post-June 1 release would still hit San Francisco with $10.75 million in dead money in 2025 and 2026 (a void year) but would generate $5.2 million and $22.39 million in savings over those two years, respectively.

If the 49ers feel Samuel is replaceable (ever player essentially is) and that money is best used elsewhere, it becomes an easy choice.

49ers may opt to thin out their wide receiver room

Fellow wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s devastating ACL and MCL tears throw a wrench into the Niners’ long-term plans, as there’s a real chance he might not be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

Even if he is, there’s no guarantee he’ll be anything close to the same kind of player he was, previously.

Still, San Francisco has plenty of talent at the position. It opted to keep the 2024 upstart, Jauan Jennings, under contract through 2025, and he’s shown he can be a WR1 when called upon. And the first-round NFL Draft investment in Ricky Pearsall needs to play itself out, too.

Hence, a trio of Aiyuk, Jennings and Pearsall isn’t exactly a bad one for the 49ers to field. In fact, it might actually be a bit of an optimization to remove Samuel from the picture.

Fortunately for the Niners, they still have the rest of the year to figure out whether or not that’s the direction they want to go.

But it should at least be on the table.