Trade sends Deebo Samuel from 49ers to Commanders for draft pick

Saturday, March 1, 2025, marked a significant shakeup in the NFL market as the San Francisco 49ers agreed to trade standout wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick. The deal, which cannot be finalized until the new league year begins on March 12, ends Samuel’s six-year tenure with the 49ers, where he emerged as a versatile and often pivotal part of the offense. The Commanders will take on the remainder of Samuel’s contract, fully covering his $17.55 million salary for the 2025 season, while the 49ers will absorb a hefty $31.55 million dead money hit on this year’s salary cap. This trade comes at a crossroads for both teams, with Washington aiming to bolster its offense for quarterback Jayden Daniels and San Francisco navigating injuries and uncertainties at the wide receiver position.

Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Deebo Samuel quickly became a favorite of head coach Kyle Shanahan, who maximized his unique skill set by deploying him across the field in various roles. Over six seasons, he racked up 4,792 receiving yards and 1,143 rushing yards, with a standout 2021 campaign where he posted 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns, nearly carrying the 49ers to the Super Bowl before falling to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. After that All-Pro year, Samuel requested a trade amid contract disputes, but he stayed with the team after signing a three-year, $71.5 million extension in 2022. However, injuries and declining production in recent years led to a renewed trade request in February, which 49ers general manager John Lynch has now honored.

Discussions around the trade initially involved Washington’s defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who carries a $16.4 million salary, but he was ultimately excluded from the deal. For the Commanders, adding Samuel provides a dynamic weapon for their rising star quarterback, while the 49ers face the challenge of reshaping their receiving corps following the departure of a key playmaker.

Samuel’s journey with the 49ers

Deebo Samuel departs San Francisco after a career filled with highs and lows. From his rookie year in 2019, he captivated fans and coaches with his ability to excel as both a receiver and a rusher, often lining up in creative formations under Shanahan’s guidance. Between 2021 and 2024, he rushed for 958 yards and 17 touchdowns while hauling in 244 passes for 3,599 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 2021 season stood out as his peak, driving the 49ers’ playoff run with an average of 6.2 yards per carry and game-changing performances.

In recent seasons, however, Samuel struggled to replicate that dominance. In 2024, he recorded 806 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns—his lowest totals outside of an injury-shortened 2020 season where he played just seven games. Injuries to his calf, wrist, oblique, and ribs, along with an illness that sidelined him for multiple games, hampered his output. His rushing production notably dropped to an average of 3.2 yards per carry, a stark decline from his earlier years.

Reasons behind the trade

Samuel’s exit stemmed from his expressed desire for a fresh start, voiced publicly during Super Bowl Sunday in February and reiterated in talks with Shanahan after the 2024 season. He described the conversation with his coach as tough due to their close bond but emphasized it was the best move for his career. The 49ers, meanwhile, faced a challenging 2024, with Samuel openly frustrated by his limited role, even tweeting that he wasn’t struggling but simply not getting the ball enough.

General manager John Lynch praised Samuel as one of his favorite draft picks, noting his ability to deliver game-altering plays. Yet, he acknowledged that the relationship had reached its end, opting to grant Samuel’s request. The trade signals a shift for the 49ers as they look to address ongoing roster challenges.

Boost for the Commanders

The Washington Commanders gain a proven talent in Deebo Samuel, enhancing an offense led by Jayden Daniels, the runaway 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year with 3,568 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. Coming off a season where they ranked fifth in scoring and seventh in total yards—reaching the NFC Championship Game—the Commanders needed reinforcements, with four of their top six receivers from 2024 set to hit free agency. Samuel steps in as a reliable complement to Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin, bringing his career average of 9.0 yards after the catch, one of the league’s highest.

General manager Adam Peters, who was with the 49ers when Samuel was drafted, knows his potential well. Run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, a former 49ers assistant during Samuel’s tenure, also adds familiarity. With one year left on his deal, the Commanders may consider an extension to lock in their new weapon.

Challenges ahead for the 49ers

Losing Samuel leaves the 49ers with gaps to fill in their passing game. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a torn right ACL and MCL suffered in 2024, with no clear timeline for his return. Jauan Jennings emerged as the team’s most productive wideout last season but enters the final year of his contract, while rookie Ricky Pearsall showed late-season promise but remains untested. Samuel’s departure frees up cap space but forces strategic adjustments.

The financial hit is substantial, with the 49ers taking on $31.55 million in dead money. The move underscores a need for renewal, though it places pressure on the team to find comparable talent in a competitive market.

Samuel’s career stats in focus

Deebo Samuel’s numbers with the 49ers highlight his impact:

• 4,792 receiving yards across six seasons.
• 1,143 rushing yards, peaking at 958 from 2021 to 2024.
• 36 total touchdowns (18 receiving, 17 rushing).
• 9.0 yards after catch career average.

His 2021 season nearly single-handedly powered the offense, but his output dipped in later years, averaging 56 receptions, 731.3 yards, and four touchdowns annually from 2022 to 2024. The trade closes a significant chapter in San Francisco.

Key dates for the trade

The timeline for the 49ers-Commanders deal follows NFL regulations:

• March 1: Trade agreement announced.
• March 12: New league year begins, officializing the trade.
• Before April draft: Fifth-round pick transferred to the 49ers.

Both teams can tweak details until the deadline, but the move already shapes their 2025 strategies.

New era for Samuel and Daniels

Joining the Commanders, Deebo Samuel enters a promising situation. Washington’s offense, which averaged 5.1 yards after the catch in 2024 (21st in the NFL), gains a master of short routes and explosive plays. Jayden Daniels, known for his dynamic playstyle, should thrive with Samuel’s ability to contribute as both a receiver and a rusher—skills Shanahan once showcased brilliantly.

The trade aligns with Adam Peters’ vision to bolster the roster with familiar talent. At 29, Samuel has an opportunity to reclaim his 2021 form and become a cornerstone for a Commanders team aiming to build on its recent NFC success.

Uncertainty looms in San Francisco

For the 49ers, the post-Samuel era brings questions. Aiyuk’s injury, coupled with Samuel’s exit, leaves Jennings and Pearsall as the immediate options, but the team will likely target reinforcements in the draft or free agency. Kyle Shanahan, renowned for his offensive ingenuity, must now adapt to a less seasoned group while keeping the 49ers competitive after years of strong performances.

Trading Samuel, though anticipated after his requests, yields only a fifth-round pick—a modest return for his caliber. It signals a strategic pivot for San Francisco, setting the stage for a new chapter as they plan for the future.