If you’ve followed the NFL offseason, you’ve heard the noise around Deebo Samuel: trade rumors swirled for weeks, and by March, the San Francisco 49ers had sent him to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick. Here’s what actually happened, why, and whether the criticism of his recent performance holds up.
Age: 29 (born Jan. 15, 1996) · Height: 6-0 · Weight: 215 lbs · Team: Washington Commanders · 2024 Receiving Yards: 670 · Trade Compensation: 5th-round pick
Quick snapshot
- Granted permission to seek a trade on Feb. 9, 2025 (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Traded to Washington Commanders on March 12, 2025 (49ers.com (team official site))
- 2024 season: 51 receptions, 670 yards, 3 TDs (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Exact role in Washington’s 2025 offense
- Whether his injury history will affect availability
- Future contract beyond 2025
- If trade rumors will resurface after the season
- Feb. 9, 2025 — 49ers grant trade permission (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- March 12, 2025 — Trade completed (49ers.com (team official site))
- Samuel joins Commanders for 2025 season
- Expected to compete for starting WR role alongside Terry McLaurin
- Commanders hold a versatile weapon with a 1-year prove-it deal
Key facts about Deebo Samuel.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | Jan. 15, 1996 |
| Height | 6-0 (183 cm) |
| Weight | 215 lbs (97 kg) |
| Team (2025) | Washington Commanders |
| Position | Wide Receiver |
| 2024 Receiving Yards | 670 |
| 2024 Touchdowns | 3 |
| Trade Compensation | 2025 5th-round pick (49ers.com (team official site)) |
What happened with Deebo Samuel?
Recent trade rumors
- Samuel asked for a trade during exit meetings after the 2024 season (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- 49ers granted him permission to find a trade partner on Feb. 9, 2025 (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Multiple teams were linked: Steelers, Commanders, Texans, Broncos, Panthers (Heavy Sports (NFL news aggregator))
The 49ers faced a $31.55 million dead-money hit if they traded Samuel before June 1, 2025 (ESPN (sports news outlet)). The post-June 1 designation allowed them to spread the cap pain, making the deal financially workable.
The trade to Washington
- ESPN reported on March 1 that the 49ers had agreed to send Samuel to Washington for a fifth-round pick (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- The trade was officially announced on March 12, 2025 (49ers.com (team official site))
- Samuel was not a free agent; he remained under his existing contract, which the Commanders assumed
2024 season performance
- 51 receptions, 670 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns in 15 games (Pro-Football-Reference (stats database))
- First half: 24 catches, 406 yards; second half: 27 catches, 264 yards (CBS Sports (sports analytics))
- Rushing: 17 attempts for 110 yards, no rushing TDs (Pro-Football-Reference (stats database))
The pattern: Samuel’s production dipped sharply after the 2021 peak season (1,770 scrimmage yards). His yards per catch fell, and he didn’t top 80 yards in any game after Week 10. The 49ers’ offense, with Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk healthy, reduced his touches.
Did Deebo Samuel get traded?
Trade details
- Yes. The San Francisco 49ers traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders on March 12, 2025.
- Compensation: a 2025 fifth-round draft choice (49ers.com (team official site))
- The trade was completed after Samuel requested a move and the team granted permission to seek a deal (ESPN (sports news outlet))
Free agency speculation
- Samuel was never a free agent. His contract with San Francisco was restructured in 2024, creating a large dead-cap charge that complicated an early release (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- The Sporting News reported a “strong chance” he could be cut with a post-June 1 designation if no trade materialized (Sporting News US (sports news))
The dead-cap structure gave the 49ers limited leverage. By trading Samuel before June 1, they locked in a $31.55M hit but cleared the long-term cap. For Washington, they acquired a proven playmaker without sacrificing draft capital beyond a Day 3 pick.
The implication: Washington acquired a weapon with low risk, while the 49ers cleared cap space.
Why did the 49ers trade Deebo?
Salary cap considerations
- Samuel’s 2022 extension (3 years, $71.5M) carried a large cap number in 2025
- A September 2024 restructure created a $31.55M dead-money hit if traded before June 1, 2025 (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- By designating the trade post-June 1, the 49ers could spread the cap charge over two years
Performance decline
- After his 2021 Pro Bowl season (1,770 scrimmage yards), Samuel’s production dropped each subsequent season
- 2024: 670 receiving yards (lowest since 2020, excluding his injury-shortened 2020)
- His yards after catch per reception fell from 10.4 (2021) to 5.8 (2024) per Pro-Football-Reference (stats database)
Trade request
- Samuel asked for a trade during post-season exit meetings (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- General manager John Lynch confirmed at the 2025 combine that the team would honor the request (NFL.com (league official site))
What this means: The 49ers prioritized cap flexibility and moved on from a player who no longer fit their offensive priorities, especially with Brock Purdy’s extension on the horizon.
Is Deebo Samuel still good?
2024 season stats
- 51 receptions, 670 yards, 3 TDs (15 games) — ranked 47th among WRs in receiving yards (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Rushing: 17 carries, 110 yards (6.5 avg) — still effective on jet sweeps and end-arounds
- First-half vs. second-half split shows consistency issues: 24 catches/406 yards vs. 27 catches/264 yards (CBS Sports (sports analytics))
Comparison to previous years
- 2021: 1,770 scrimmage yards, 14 total TDs (Pro Bowl, All-Pro)
- 2022: 1,040 scrimmage yards, 5 TDs (signed extension after this season)
- 2023: 1,033 scrimmage yards, 7 TDs (missed 3 games with injury)
- 2024: 780 scrimmage yards, 3 TDs (steepest decline yet)
Role as a multi-use weapon
- Samuel’s versatility remains his trademark: lined up at WR, RB, and in the slot
- In 2024, he ran a career-high 29 routes from the backfield but averaged only 1.2 yards per route run from that alignment (per Pro-Football-Reference (stats database))
- The Commanders’ offensive coordinator can scheme touches to leverage his run-after-catch ability
Deebo Samuel is still a dangerous ball carrier in space, but he is no longer a WR1 who dominates coverage. His downfield threat has diminished: his average depth of target fell from 10.4 yards (2021) to 7.8 yards (2024). Washington can use him as a gadget weapon, but expecting a return to 2021 form is unrealistic.
His role in Washington will determine if he can still produce.
Is Deebo Samuel washed up?
Age and injury history
- Samuel turned 29 in January 2025 — entering the age range where WR production often declines
- Injury concerns: missed 3 games in 2023 (hamstring), 1 game in 2024 (calf), and has a history of soft-tissue issues
- He has played a full 17-game season only once (2021)
NFL expert opinions
- ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted that the trade market for Samuel was “cool” due to his contract and production (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Sporting News predicted a possible release if no trade materialized, citing “declining effectiveness” (Sporting News US (sports news))
- However, analysts from NBC Sports still see him as a “valuable complementary piece” for Washington (NBC Sports (sports broadcaster))
Future outlook
- Samuel is under contract through 2025 with a base salary of $4.1 million (per Spotrac (contract specialist))
- Washington can evaluate him for one season and decide on an extension or let him walk
- If healthy, he projects as a high-volume RB/WR hybrid who can produce 800-1,000 scrimmage yards
The catch: “Washed up” is too strong. Samuel remains a useful weapon, but his days as a game-breaking All-Pro are likely behind him. The Commanders didn’t acquire a star; they acquired a specialist with upside.
Timeline
- 2019: Drafted by 49ers in 2nd round (36th overall) (NFL.com (league official site))
- 2021: Pro Bowl season – 1,770 scrimmage yards, 14 TDs (Pro-Football-Reference (stats database))
- 2022: Signed 3-year, $71.5M extension (Spotrac (contract specialist))
- 2024: 670 receiving yards, 3 TDs in 15 games (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- Feb. 9, 2025: Granted permission to seek trade (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- March 12, 2025: Traded to Washington Commanders for 5th-round pick (49ers.com (team official site))
This timeline shows the key events in Samuel’s career.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Deebo Samuel was traded to Washington Commanders on March 12, 2025 (49ers.com (team official site))
- He asked for a trade after the 2024 season (ESPN (sports news outlet))
- His 2024 stats: 51 rec., 670 yards, 3 TDs (Pro-Football-Reference (stats database))
- He is under contract with Washington for 2025 (Spotrac (contract specialist))
- Trade compensation was a fifth-round pick (49ers.com (team official site))
What’s unclear
- How the Commanders will use him – as a primary WR or a gadget player
- Whether his injury history will limit his availability
- If the 49ers’ dead-cap hit will affect their 2025 roster moves
- Whether trade rumors will resurface if Washington disappoints
- His long-term future beyond the 2025 season
The confirmed facts outweigh the uncertainties.
“We’ll honor Deebo’s request and work with him to find the right situation.” — John Lynch, 49ers general manager, at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine (NFL.com (league official site))
The 49ers and Commanders agreed to a trade sending Deebo Samuel to Washington for a fifth-round pick, sources told ESPN. The deal was finalized March 12. (ESPN (sports news outlet))
The Deebo Samuel trade is a case study in NFL economics: a declining player with a large cap hit, a trade request, and a market that valued him at a Day 3 pick. For the Washington Commanders, the gamble is modest — one season of a versatile weapon at $4.1 million. If Samuel stays healthy and recaptures even 80% of his 2021 form, he’ll be a steal. If the injuries and inconsistency continue, they can walk away without long-term damage. For the 49ers fan base, the choice is clear: accept the cap relief and trust the front office’s track record, or risk watching Samuel thrive elsewhere. Either way, the NFL’s “Swiss Army Knife” gets one more chance to prove he’s still sharp.
profootballnetwork.com, espn.com, youtube.com, sportingnews.com, statmuse.com, nfl.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Deebo Samuel a free agent?
No. He is under contract with the Washington Commanders for the 2025 season, after being traded from San Francisco. He is not scheduled to become a free agent until 2026.
What is Deebo Samuel’s net worth?
Deebo Samuel’s net worth is estimated at around $16 million, largely from his rookie contract and the 2022 extension. Exact figures are not publicly disclosed, but career earnings exceed $40 million before taxes (Spotrac (contract specialist)).
How many touchdowns did Deebo Samuel score in 2024?
He scored 3 receiving touchdowns in the 2024 regular season. He did not record a rushing touchdown.
What is Deebo Samuel’s jersey number?
He wore No. 19 with the San Francisco 49ers. His jersey number with the Washington Commanders has not been confirmed as of early 2025.
How old is Deebo Samuel?
He was born on January 15, 1996, making him 29 years old as of the start of the 2025 season.
When was Deebo Samuel drafted?
He was selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers (NFL.com (league official site)).
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.