Deebo Samuel Traded to Commanders for Fifth-Round Pick

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders have acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, according to a source familiar with the trade. The deal, which cannot be finalized until the start of the new league year on March 12, includes the Commanders assuming Samuel’s contract for the 2025 season, worth $17.55 million.

Samuel, who turned 29 last month, is expected to become a key offensive weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels, who enjoyed a successful rookie season. The Commanders reached the NFC Championship Game last year and are looking to bolster their offense further with the addition of the former All-Pro.

San Francisco will incur a significant dead money hit of $31.6 million on this year’s salary cap as a result of the trade. The 49ers selected Samuel 36th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, where he quickly became a favorite under head coach Kyle Shanahan, known for utilizing his versatile skills effectively.

In his six seasons with San Francisco, Samuel recorded 4,792 receiving yards, 1,143 rushing yards, and a combined 42 touchdowns (22 receiving and 20 rushing). However, his productivity waned over the last couple of seasons, culminating in career lows in several categories last year. He posted 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns alongside 136 rushing yards.

Following a notable 2021 season, where he finished with 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns, Samuel requested a trade after a dispute over his contract. Despite San Francisco’s efforts to retain him, he publically expressed his desire for a change earlier this year, prompting this latest trade.

Commanders General Manager Adam Peters, who has a history with Samuel from his time in San Francisco, expressed confidence in Samuel’s ability to make an immediate impact. “Deebo is a dynamic playmaker who will complement Terry McLaurin well,” Peters said. “We’re excited to add him to our roster.”

With Samuel now on board, Washington aims to address its receiver depth, as several key players are set to become free agents. Last season, the Commanders’ offense ranked fifth in scoring and seventh in total yards — their best showing since 2012.

As both teams move forward, the 49ers will need to reevaluate their receiving corps, which is currently dealing with injuries and contract uncertainties. With Samuel’s departure, questions loom regarding who will step up as a reliable target alongside Brandon Aiyuk.