If it was going to happen, it was always going to be in the next few days. Now it has.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport on Saturday, the San Francisco 49ers have traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for what is believed to be a fifth-round choice in this year's NFL Draft. The trade cannot be made official until March 12, when the new NFL league year begins.
Trading Samuel ends a six-year run in the Bay Area for the wideout, who perhaps impressed the most in 2021, where his borderline MVP-level play as both a wide receiver and running back helped fuel a 49ers playoff charge that unfortunately ended in disappointment with a loss in the NFC Championship game to the Los Angeles Rams.
Samuel went on to land a three-year, $73.5 million contract extension (with $58.1 million guaranteed) in the 2022 offseason following contentious negotiations.
However, he has struggled to live up to that contract ever since, failing to top 1,000 yards receiving in any of the following seasons, and his production and seeming disgruntlement have continued to cause the 49ers headaches, such as when Samuel had a sideline spat with the special teams unit during November's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
San Francisco 49ers reportedly trade Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders
Trading Samuel, given his contract and dead money implications, doesn't seem to make a great deal of sense, particularly after his restructuring during the 2024 season. But it's possible that general manager John Lynch and the 49ers organization ultimately decided it would be easier to cut ties, get something of value, and at the same time, do right by a player who has helped build the first 'era' under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Samuel leaves the 49ers after 81 games, of which 73 were starts. As a receiver, he amassed 334 catches, leading to 4,792 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns. He also added over 1,000 yards on the ground from 200 carries, scoring 20 rushing touchdowns in the process.
His departure leaves a hole for Shanahan to fill, although the emergence of wide receiver Jauan Jennings as a borderline No. 1 option at the position, as well as the development of youngsters like Jacob Cowing and last year's first-round draft choice Ricky Pearsall, will look to offset this.
For Samuel himself, he now has the opportunity to link up with former 49ers front office member Adam Peters, who is the general manager in Washington. He'll join a dynamic offense featuring phenom quarterback Jayden Daniels as the Commanders look to build upon their surprising playoff success this season.
For the 49ers, this is likely the first domino in many that will fall throughout what should be a busy offseason, but make no mistake, this is a big one. Time will tell as to what other moves Samuel's departure portends.
More 49ers News and Analysis
feed