Deebo Samuel Candidly Speaks Out Before Potential Patriots Pursuit

It remains to be seen if Deebo Samuel is pursued by the New England Patriots, who desperately need to improve their wide receiver group.

But at the very least, the versatile playmaker sounds very, very ready to leave the San Francisco 49ers.

“It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have,” Samuel told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “But I have to do what’s best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it’s best that we find another team.”

Samuel’s comments to Schefter were publicized after NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported the 49ers were expected to explore a trade for the 29-year-old. And along with sharing his exchange with Samuel, Schefter reported San Francisco gave the 2019 second-rounder and his agent permission to find a trade partner.

One can assume the Patriots will be one of the teams contacted by Samuel and his representatives. Not only is it imperative for New England to bolster Drake Maye’s arsenal of weapons this offseason, but the Patriots reportedly looked into possibly trading for Samuel last year.

So, it’s probably only a matter of time before the Samuel-to-Foxboro rumor mill really starts heating up.