Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel is traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Washington Commanders.
Since the 2019 NFL Draft, when the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the second round at position 36, Deebo Samuel has played for the Bay Area franchise. The wide receiver reached two Super Bowls with the team, was selected to the Pro Bowl and named First-Team All-Pro.
But now the pass receiver’s time with the Niners is over. As several US media outlets are reporting, the 29-year-old is being traded to the Washington Commanders.
What exactly does the deal look like?
According to US media, Deebo Samuel is leaving the 49ers and joining the Washington Commanders. San Francisco will receive a fifth-round draft pick in return.
The trade has not yet been officially or finally finalized; according to NFL regulations, this cannot happen before March 12 and thus before the start of the new league year.
Until then, the parties could theoretically still withdraw from the deal.
Was the trade announced?
Absolutely. In an interview with ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, Samuel expressed his intention to leave the franchise at the beginning of February. After last season’s disappointing season, he had openly communicated his desire to move to the organization’s leaders.
“It was a difficult conversation with Kyle (Shanahan, Head Coach, editor’s note), because we have a close relationship. But I have to do what’s best for me,” the receiver explained.
And further: ”I am more than grateful to the Niners for giving me the chance of my life. Now it’s best if I find a new team.”
The 49ers’ decision-makers did not initially welcome the 29-year-old’s request. General Manager John Lynch had previously referred to the athlete’s valid contract and stated that he had no intention of “letting good players go”.
In what condition is the wideout?
Last season, Samuel was unable to do much in the way of self-promotion, putting in one of the weakest seasons of his career so far. He recorded 670 receiving yards and three touchdowns, along with 136 rushing yards.
Most recently, the “San Francisco Standard” reported that the wideout was not physically fit in 2024. The reason for this, however, is not an injury, but significant excess weight. The athlete is said to be carrying around nine kilos too many, which is why he lacked the necessary explosiveness.
By way of comparison, in his best season in 2021, he managed more than 1,400 receiving yards.
Which fellow receivers will Samuel face with the Commanders?
The Commanders’ receiving corps has several question marks for the upcoming season. Deebo Samuel should be a good complement to number one receiver Terry McLaurin.
Five receivers who were on the Commanders’ roster in 2024 will become free agents on March 12: Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, Noah Brown, Jamison Crowder and K.J. Osborn.
Besides McLaurin, quarterback Jayden Daniels and running back Luke McCaffrey remain as receiving options from the previous season.
What kind of contract is Samuel bringing to Washington?
In 2025, Samuel will enter the final year of the three-year contract he signed in 2022. This includes a volume of 71.55 million US dollars. Before last season began, he had agreed to a restructuring to give the 49ers 16.47 million US dollars in additional cap space. His 2025 cap hit is currently 15.825 million US dollars.
So for the Commanders, the question is whether they will provide their new receiver with a contract extension or take the risk of having to release him after just one year. In the second case, the upcoming season would be a make-or-break year for Samuel.
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