How will 49ers handle Deebo Samuel’s trade request? Here are 4 key questions (paywall)
“It’s possible Shanahan was taking pains to not publicly criticize a player on each occasion, but it raised questions about whether his tight bond with Samuel was clouding his judgment.
Months later, however, it’s likely even Shanahan can see this clearly: It’s time for Samuel to go.
On Sunday, Samuel told ESPN that he had requested a trade and the 49ers had granted permission to him and his agent to seek a deal. Three years after Samuel’s trade request during his contentious contract talks was a negotiating tactic, his latest smacked of a face-saving move: There had already been widespread speculation that the 49ers would ask Samuel to take a pay cut, or release or trade him after a season lacking in leadership and, most significantly, production.