Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Thursday, February 13th, 2025
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.”
What 49ers can learn from Eagles’ D-line dominance in Super Bowl
“The Eagles suited up nine defensive linemen on Sunday, and six played at least 40 percent of the snaps. Three others saw action from 12 to 25 percent of the time.
Philadelphia selected five defensive linemen within the first three rounds of the past four drafts, and each played a major role in helping to deliver the Lombardi Trophy.”
49ers met with Ole Miss LB Chris Paul Jr. at the Shrine Bowl
“Paul spent his first three collegiate seasons at Arkansas before transferring to Ole Miss for his final year. In 2024, he recorded 88 tackles (11 for a loss), 3.5 sacks, one interception, and four passes defensed.
His standout performance earned him an 87.2 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking sixth among all collegiate linebackers. Paul also posted an 84.6 run defense grade and an 85.9 tackling grade, missing only four tackles in 621 total snaps (including the postseason).”
Insider delivers bad news to fans hoping for a 49ers-Deebo Samuel reconciliation
“Samuel remains a fan favorite, but Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard has bad news for those holding onto hope for another reconciliation.
“Checked around a little on the Deebo Samuel situation,” Kawakami wrote on social media. “I asked if this is at all similar to 2022, when he asked to be traded, the 49ers looked, but then he came back on a new deal.”
Kawakami added, “I’m told, no, this is not similar. Everybody’s set for Deebo to be an ex-49er soon.”