Cooper Kupp is not the only NFC West iconic wide receiver on the move

When it comes to the NFC West Division, the Los Angeles Rams or the San Francisco 49ers have held the top spot for seven of the last eight seasons. The breakout is four times for the Rams, three times for the 49ers, and once for the Seattle Seahawks. To be fair, the Seahawks have consistently been the runner-up in the division. Why eight years? That is the period covered by Rams Head Coach Sean McVay.

While the future remains uncertain, iconic wide receiver Cooper Kupp who joined the Rams with McVay in 2017, will no longer suit up for the Rams. Even now, Rams fans ponder over what that might mean for the team. Of course, no landing spot has surfaced just yet, but it's early. Super Bowl LIX is still to be played. And the Rams, a spectator of the game, are content to hold off on NFL headliners until the champion is determined.

But the Rams are not the only team facing roster upheavals this offseason.

There are many quality players in the 'limbo' zone this off-season. Whether they face an expiring contract, a contentious contract extension, or simply a chasm between what they are due to be paid and what the team feels they should be paid, recongnizable names are popping up like summer thunderstorms. One name that has popped up with its complement of thunder and lightening is that of 49ers versatile wide receiver/running back Deebo Samuel.

Samuel has had a love/hate relationship with 49ers fans. And it's safe to say that Rams fans will feel no love lost to see Deebo playing elsewhere. But as NFL Insider Adam Schefter has reported, Samuel has had a trade request granted by the 49ers front office:

Samuel is a versatile offensive weapon who is as effective running the football as well as running routes and catching passes. Much like his peer, Cooper Kupp, Samuel's best season occurred in 2021. Since then, his production has diminished even as he has continued to suit up and compete. The addition of RB Christian McCaffrey in 2022 seems to have altered the 49ers offensive formula, leaving Deebo in a diminished role.

Deebo doesn't like that, and has asked to be traded. And per some reports, the phone is already ringing off the hook:

The Rams have had to face Deebo Samuel twice a year, and over that time his loud and boisterous nature has certainly rubbed fans the wrong way. But I suspect that the Rams coaching staff has respected Samuel's gritty style of play, if not outright admired it. Could the Rams show interest? I really don't know.

I imagine that Coach McVay would love to see how well he might use a RB/WR hybrid in his offense. And that makes some sense to see how it might work. But Samuel is in the last year of his current contract. He would be even more divisive on the Rams roster than his former teammate, Jimmy Garoppolo.

Of course, if the Rams extend backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as a bridge to cover for Matthew Stafford in case of retirement or injury, then a scenario of adding Deebo Samuel becomes far more intriguing.

No, I'm not advocating for the team to trade for Deebo Samuel. But Samuel joins Kupp on the trade block. And the NFL offseason is just getting started. Buckle up, as this year will surely be a bumpy ride.

As always, thanks for reading.

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