The San Francisco 49ers have officially parted ways with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, trading him to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The move comes after Samuel requested a trade at the end of the 2024 season, and 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed the team would honor his request.
Washington, fresh off an impressive playoff run with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, wasted no time securing Samuel. Shortly after reports surfaced about the deal, the Commanders‘ social media team posted a GIF of Deebo from the movie Friday, hinting at their excitement for the new addition.
Deebo Samuel caught up in Twitter beef after 49ers first loss
A declining star or a hidden gem?
Samuel, 29, has been a versatile playmaker for the 49ers, contributing both as a receiver and a rusher. However, his production dipped in 2024, where he recorded just 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, he added 42 carries for 136 yards and one score-far from his peak performance in 2021 when he totaled 1,405 receiving yards and 365 rushing yards with eight touchdowns.
Despite his declining numbers, Washington hopes that Samuel can regain his dynamic form and provide Daniels with a reliable target. The trade is considered a low-risk move for the Commanders, as they only gave up a late-round draft pick for the veteran wideout.
San Francisco’s long-term plan
For the 49ers, moving on from Samuel was partly a financial decision. He signed a three-year extension after the 2022 season, with over $58 million guaranteed, and was set to become a free agent after the 2025 campaign. With the team preparing for a massive contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, shedding Samuel’s future salary obligations became a priority.
The trade does leave the 49ers with over $31 million in dead cap money for 2025, but by 2026, Samuel will be off their books entirely. The move also signals that San Francisco is looking to get younger at the wide receiver position, with an eye toward the upcoming NFL Draft to fill the void left by Samuel’s departure.
As Washington prepares for another postseason push with Daniels, all eyes will be on Samuel to see if he can return to his game-changing form. Meanwhile, the 49ers shift their focus to rebuilding their receiver corps and securing the financial flexibility needed for the future.
