Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. noted in his introductory conference with reporters via The Associated Press that the team is "getting a motivated Deebo." "I'm just ready to get back to work." said the seventh-year pro. "I'm just ready to get around a group of guys, meet with the players, and we just go from there." The 29-year-old hasn't quite reached the heights of his absurd 1,770-yard, 14-touchdown All-Pro season in 2021. However, he has provided a versatile chess piece in Kyle Shanahan's offenses over the years. The South Carolina product also stated that winning is a motivator for him, and he was impressed with the play of second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels during his first stint in the pros. Samuel Sr. should fit opposite teammate Terry McLaurin nicely, adding another playmaker to deploy in Washington's dynamic offense.
The Washington Commanders reworked new wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr.'s deal on Wednesday and are guaranteeing $17 million of his previously non-guaranteed salary for the 2025 season while also adding another $3 million worth of incentives, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. Samuel will now play his first season in D.C. on a one-year deal worth up to $20 million, including the $17 million guaranteed. The 29-year-old is set to serve as Washington's No. 2 receiver this year behind Terry McLaurin as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing final year in San Francisco in which he had a 51-670-3 line on 81 targets over 15 starts. Samuel, who was an All-Pro in 2021, will be a multi-faceted weapon for an offense led by impressive second-year QB Jayden Daniels. He could bounce back as a strong WR2 in fantasy, but durability is a concern despite him being on the right side of 30.
The Washington Commanders have acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. Samuel's name has been around several trade discussions throughout the offseason after his disappointing 2024 campaign. In 2024, Samuel found the back of the end zone just four times and tallied 836 all-purpose yards. Through the air, Samuel caught 670 yards on 51 receptions. This was his lowest receiving total since the 2022 campaign. On the ground, Samuel ran for 136 yards, which is his lowest total in a season in which he played in at least 15 games. The Washington Commanders lacked a proven No. 2 wideout opposite of Terry McLaurin throughout the 2024 season. Even though McLaurin set the franchise record in receiving touchdowns, their No. 2 and No. 3 wide receivers, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown, combined for just two receiving scores. Fantasy managers should expect Samuel to operate as the No. 2 pass catcher opposite of McLaurin. Even though he is entering his seventh professional season, he will still carry value as a WR2 in all formats catching passes from breakout rookie Jayden Daniels. In San Francisco, Brandon Aiyuk will operate as the top wideout with Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall slotting behind him.
Commanders, Texans Have "Significant" Interest In Deebo Samuel Sr.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is expected to be traded this offseason, and the Washington Commanders and Houston Texans have had significant interest in trading for him, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos have also checked in, among other teams, but Washington and Houston are believed to be the most aggressive in trade talks. Samuel has spent his entire career with Niners since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and has posted 334 receptions for 4,792 yards, and 22 touchdowns in 81 games. He has added 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns as a runner. Both Washington and Houston have quarterbacks on rookie deals and see their Super Bowl window as wide open, making them formidable suitors for the veteran wideout.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that the team is on good terms with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and will honor his trade request. "He asked for a fresh start and we're going to honor that," Lynch said. Samuel asked for a trade right after the 2024 season following a disappointing season for both himself and the team. If the Niners do trade the 29-year-old pass-catcher, they will have a $31.6 million dead-cap hit while saving $15.2 million on the 2025 salary cap. It appears that San Fran has every intention of trading Samuel this offseason, but now the question becomes whether any teams will be willing to meet the 49ers' asking price after Samuel had just 51 catches on 81 targets for 670 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 15 starts. He's had added value while being used as a runner, too, but Samuel has battled injuries and his fantasy value could drop further, depending on where he winds up.
Bills, Chargers Among Teams That Could Be In Play For Deebo Samuel Sr.
The San Francisco 49ers gave wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. permission to seek a trade this offseason. Samuel is under contract for one more season, and his deal includes a $15 million option bonus. Along with his drop in production in 2024, it could suppress Samuel's trade market, but NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco lists the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans as a few teams that could be interested in acquiring Samuel from the Niners. The 29-year-old former second-rounder had career-lows of 3.4 catches and 44.7 receiving yards per game in 15 contests in 2024, with his per-rush average also dropping to 3.2 yards. Although Samuel is much more of an injury risk with declining production, he does have 42 total TDs in six NFL seasons and will draw interest from receiver-needy teams as a trade target.
49ers Grant Deebo Samuel Sr. Permission To Seek A Trade
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the San Francisco 49ers have granted wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and his agent, Tory Dandy, permission to seek a trade. It comes after Samuel asked the 49ers to trade him during the players' exit meetings after the regular season. "It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have," Samuel said. "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." NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier that the 49ers were expected to explore trading Samuel this offseason. Despite Brandon Aiyuk (knee) missing most of 2024, Samuel had only 51 catches -- the second-lowest total of his career -- for 670 yards and three TDs in 15 games. He's due $17.55 million in 2025 in the final year of the three-year, $71.55 million extension he signed in 2022.
49ers Plan To Bring Deebo Samuel Sr. Back Next Year
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that the plan is to bring wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. back for the 2025 season. After signing receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to a hefty extension before the start of the 2024 season, it was assumed that the Niners would likely move on from Samuel heading into 2025 given his significant salary-cap hit. In addition to the decision regarding the future of Samuel, who missed the Week 18 regular-season finale due to rib and wrist injuries, the 49ers will also be navigating a long-term extension for quarterback Brock Purdy. If the Niners change their mind on the 28-year-old Samuel, he could be a trade candidate with one year left on his deal. In 15 games in 2024, he had 51 catches for 670 yards and only three touchdowns despite Aiyuk and running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) missing significant time with injuries.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs, wrist) has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Samuel didn't practice at all this week. The 28-year-old veteran likely would have been able to suit up this weekend if the Niners were playing for something, but with San Fran eliminated from postseason contention, he will be rested to close out the year. Jauan Jennings should operate as the team's WR1 on Sunday in a good matchup, with rookies Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing and Chris Conley also seeing additional opportunities with backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs running the offense. Especially when considering the injuries to running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) and receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Samuel's 51-670-3 line as a receiver in 15 games was a huge disappointment for the 49ers and fantasy managers alike.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs, wrist) picked up his second straight DNP this week after not practicing with the team on Thursday. Samuel is dealing with multiple injuries following Sunday night's loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 17 and is now firmly up in the air to play this Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals in the Week 18 regular-season finale with nothing on the line for either team. Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs has already been named the starter with Brock Purdy (elbow) likely to be shut down, so Samuel's already shaky fantasy value will take another hit if he actually suits up this weekend. The 28-year-old has scored in back-to-back weeks, but on Sunday night he only caught one pass for five yards and had three carries for 16 yards. Samuel will be a touchdown-dependent WR3/flex if he faces Arizona in the regular-season finale.
Deebo Samuel Sr.
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