The dream of grasping the Lombardi is over for many teams. As the Eagles and the Chiefs are the last ones standing. The Denver Broncos are one of them. They have already struggled to make the playoffs since 2015, and the Bills crushed their efforts with a 31-7 win. The Super Bowl is just around the corner, and the next day, a new game of tug-of-war will begin. Teams will be trying hard to sign the right players. Broncos HC Sean Payton, who got the Saints their first Super Bowl ring, is looking forward to making the Broncos stronger. Sean is just two seasons in and has already made the Broncos a playoff-ready team. The NFL will soon witness a new leaf as the 2025 season will be full of surprising trades and signings. And we are absolutely ready for the ride.

Sean Payton knows what he wants right now in the Broncos. He’s been a coach for enough years to understand the missing link in the team. Sean recently shared his thoughts in the latest episode of Up and Adams: “I would say we need a joker. A joker now can be a tight end or a running back.” And guess what? Who came with a suggestion? The former star QB Robert Griffin. In a recent X post, Robert wrote, “The Denver Broncos should trade for Deebo Samuel. Sean Payton said he needs a ‘Joker’ who can be an elite receiver who can play RB/TE, create mismatches, and own the middle. That’s Deebo. Sean Payton will understand how to use his versatility and get him back to his YAC Attack.”

Yes, Robert’s suggestion is definitely something Sean Payton can consider. After all, Deebo Samuel has always been a standout performer. Do you remember how he performed back in ‘21? He pocketed 1,405 receiving yards, six TDs, and 365 rushing yards. Pretty amazing, right? That same year, he also earned first-team All-Pro honors. So yeah, we can say that he could be the missing piece of the puzzle for the Broncos. More importantly, with the ongoing Benjamin problems in the 49ers‘ HQ, now might be the perfect time for Denver to make a move.

But trading Samuel wouldn’t be that simple for the Niners, as they’d have to navigate some major salary cap challenges. His restructured contract means a trade before June 1 would hit them with a massive $31.55 million dead money charge. On top of that, he’s due a $15.4 million option bonus on March 22, which means San Francisco has to act fast if they want to strike a deal. If no trade happens, releasing him with a post-June 1 designation could spread the cap hit over two years, making it a more manageable $10.75 million. Given all these financial hurdles, the big question is—will the 49ers hold on to him, or is his exit inevitable?

Is Deebo Samuel signaling his exit from the 49ers?

It almost seems like ever since Deebo came to the 49ers, he just wanted a way out of the team. I mean, it’s not the first time he asked for a trade. He did it back in ‘22  as well. But this time, his wish is actually going to come true, as the Niners are ready to part ways.

In a recent interview with ESPN, Samuel said the team has given him the green flag to find a new home with the help of a trade partner. And you know what? Maybe the Niners were expecting this to happen, so they kept making the right moves for the team’s future. They literally signed Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings to long-term contracts, proving that the team trusts them.

With all these moves in place, it’s becoming more obvious that Samuel’s time with the Niners is coming to an end. Deebo Samuel didn’t hold back when talking about his future with the team. “It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle because of the relationship that we have. But I have to do what’s best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it’s best that we find another team.” His words make it clear—this isn’t just another contract dispute, like in 2022. This time, Samuel seems determined to move on, and if the 49ers are truly ready to part ways, the Broncos should definitely keep their eye on him.