Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel remains unsigned in free agency.
It appears he’s trying to let teams know he’s still out there, based on his recent social media post in which he writes, “Ready for whatever!!!”
He also added a lock and key emoji as part of the message:
Ready for whatever!!!🔐
— Deebo (@19problemz) July 16, 2026
Samuel played for the Washington Commanders last year after the Niners traded him and had a respectable season. He had 727 receiving yards on 72 receptions and also scored six touchdowns.
While he’s obviously no longer the versatile threat he was five years ago for San Francisco, he is still a useful veteran player who would make a team better as a No. 3 wide receiver option.
The question is: Who might be willing to take a chance on him?
The most obvious answers are looking around the league at teams with former 49ers coaches. The Los Angeles Chargers would make a lot of sense, since Mike McDaniel is the offensive coordinator there and he saw Samuel when he was at his best.
The Tennessee Titans would make sense, too. Robert Saleh knows him, and second-year quarterback Cam Ward could use a veteran presence like Deebo to help him navigate things.
The Houston Texans also make sense with DeMeco Ryans as the head coach there. If they really are all in on C.J. Stroud as their signal-caller, then the Texans should get him all the help he needs, and Samuel could be a nice depth addition.
At this point, a reunion with the Niners doesn’t even seem completely outlandish. Why not have him on the team as the No. 3 or No. 4 option on the depth chart? It might be weird for him, considering he was once the most dangerous guy on the field with San Francisco, but if he really is “ready for whatever,” then maybe he’d be open to a role like that with the 49ers.
Of course, the Niners would have to find a way to fit him in with other players like rookie De'Zhaun Stribling and veteran Christian Kirk, which wouldn't be easy. They'd also probably have to cut a player like Demarcus Robinson to make room for Samuel.
Heck, maybe they could even put him back on kick- and punt-return duties. He doesn’t have the burst and explosiveness that he once did, but as long as Samuel can hang onto the ball, that’s all head coach Kyle Shanahan really cares about.
Samuel is not the guy he once was, but he’s still a good football player. He deserves another opportunity, so one hopes a team will sign him fairly soon.
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