Earlier this month, Deebo Samuel, a standout receiver for the 49ers, publicly announced his desire for a trade.

Following the end of the previous season, General Manager John Lynch stated that the organization was not inclined to part with talented players. However, during a recent press conference at this year’s scouting combine, his perspective seemed to shift.

“You know, we’re still not interested,” Lynch remarked in response to a question about Samuel. “However, considering the financial realities and the discussions we’ve had with Deebo, we’re being transparent about things. Our relationship with him remains strong. He’s looking for a new beginning, and we intend to respect that.

“It’s tough to see exceptional talents like him go — and he truly is a remarkable player, one of my favorite draft selections during my tenure. He creates game-changing moments. Everything is fine. Yet, time moves on, and he’s expressed a desire for that change. Contracts complicate all this, but allowing him to explore options feels reasonable. We are in talks and will see how this unfolds.”

In the past, the 49ers have entertained trading Samuel, yet no agreements were reached.

While Lynch acknowledges the reasons behind Samuel’s trade request this offseason, he prefers to keep those discussions confidential.

“Those conversations are private. As I mentioned, everything is amicable,” Lynch shared. “I hope we can find him an ideal situation, and if not, we’ll have to make some choices. There’s certainly been plenty of interest from other teams.”

In light of this, recent reports suggest that various teams are poised to wait and see if Samuel is released should a trade fail to materialize. While this remains a possibility, Lynch has not ruled out the potential for Samuel’s return to the franchise.

“There’s always a scenario — I’ve learned that over time,” Lynch said.

Nevertheless, letting go of a player like Samuel proves to be a difficult decision for Lynch.

“There’s deep affection, mutual respect, and many shared experiences involved,” Lynch remarked. “So, parting ways is challenging. But as I said, time changes circumstances, and if it’s beneficial for both parties, it’s worth exploring. And that’s our current position.”