Deebo Samuel proved he was plenty motivated in 1st game for Commanders

Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel got off to a hot start in his first game with the Washington Commanders. He proved to everyone that he still has plenty of motivation and still has something left in the tank.

Samuel was Washington's top receiver as he had 77 receiving yards on seven receptions. He also had a 19-yard rushing touchdown on an end-around play that should give 49ers fans flashbacks to his prime days in the Bay Area:

It was a solid debut performance with his new team, and it certainly seems like Washington has a fun new gadget in Samuel. The 29-year-old certainly has a lot to prove coming off a rough 2024 season.

Samuel's final season with the 49ers was arguably the worst of his career. In 15 games, he had just 670 receiving yards and three touchdowns. It looked like he had lost a step and was in need of a fresh start, which is why the two sides amicably parted ways with the 49ers trading Samuel to Washington in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately, Samuel was never able to recapture the next-level form he had in 2021 when he made first-team All-Pro and had 1,405 receiving yards and 365 rushing yards with 14 total touchdowns on the year. He was rewarded with a big contract after that but never lived up to it.

Fortunately for Samuel, he is entering a good situation in Washington. Second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels seems to be the real deal and is looking to build off his great rookie season. Plus, with top wide receiver Terry McLaurin there, it takes some pressure off Samuel since he does not have to be the main guy for the Commanders.

A lot was made in the offseason and in training camp about Samuel's weight and fitness coming into the year. The narrative that he is out of shape has dogged him the last few seasons, so that is surely going to motivate him even more to prove that he can still get it done.

Some 49ers fans may be wishing the team had not traded Deebo away in the offseason, given all the injuries and issues San Francisco has at wide receiver right now. That's fair, but it seems both sides felt a fresh start would be beneficial even though Samuel was a fan-favorite for so long in San Francisco.

It is just one game, but it looks like Samuel is in a good situation in Washington and could be primed to have a bounce-back season.