The San Francisco 49ers are sending star wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 5th round pick.
The deal can’t be officially processed until the new league year begins on March 12th. However, sources indicate that as part of the trade, Washington will take on the remainder of Samuel’s contract and paying his full $17.55M salary for the 2025 campaign. There remains the possibility that Washington will also look to extend the 29 year old’s deal as well.
The move ends a productive, though uneven, relationship between Samuel and the 49ers organization. The versatile pass catcher publicly campaigned to be treated more as a WR than a “do-it-all” receiver/running back which head coach Kyle Shanahan liked to use him as.
Despite being effective in the role, Samuel’s camp felt it put him at risk for injury, and risked his chances at securing a big money extension in the future. An extension which San Francisco was hesitant to offer him. This led to several rounds of trade speculation before the club finally pulled the trigger this offseason with Washington.
As a result of the trade, San Francisco will absorb a $31,550,012 dead money penalty on this year’s salary cap. Samuel, who has one year remaining on his contract, will count as $17.5 million against Washington’s salary cap figure in 2025.
He now joins an up and coming offence, led by Jayden Daniels in DC. Washington’s offence ranked fifth in scoring and seventh in yards last season as the team reached the NFC Championship Game.
He’ll link up with fellow wideout Terry McLaurin to help provide Daniels with additional weapons, as the Commanders look to prove that 2024’s on field results were no fluke. The 6′ pass catcher hauled in 51 passes for 670 yards and 3 TDs, while adding another 136 yards and 1 TD on the ground last year.
Moving from a Shanahan led offence, to one headed up by Kliff Kingsbury should be a relatively seamless transition for the former South Carolina Gamecock. And with McLaurin lining up opposite of him, it will keep defenders honest, allowing Samuel to potentially recreate his 2021 All-Pro level magic.
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