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What is happening to Deebo Samuel?
The 30-year-old wide receiver and 2021 All-Pro is among the top remaining players on the NFL free agent market, but the former Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers receiver has no plans to hang up his cleats anytime soon.
“Entering year 8… [I] still feel like I’ve got a lot, at least like three, four good years left,” Samuel said in a recent video posted on his YouTube page. “It’s been a little rough, not even going to lie to you. All the free agency stuff that goes on, waking up in the morning, looking at your phone, seeing if your agent hit you up and thinking, ‘This team is interested,’ or things like that. And it’s been a bit like a roller coaster. [I’ve] been through a lot, not just ball.
“With me and how I play this game, it’s like no matter what I go through, no matter what I do, if I’m able to perform, I’m going to go out there and put it on the line for my team.”
After six seasons with the 49ers (2019-24), San Francisco traded Samuel to Washington, which came off a 2024 campaign in which it reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991 — when it won Super Bowl XXV — and saw quarterback Jayden Daniels win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
That said, the Commanders went on to a 5-12 season in 2025, with Daniels playing in just seven games due to knee, hamstring and elbow injuries, respectively. Across 16 games, Samuel had 72 receptions for 727 yards (10.1 yards per reception) and five touchdowns. All three totals led the Commanders, with Samuel also rushing for 75 yards and one score.
“Some people ask like, ‘Are you ready to hang it up?’ And I’m like, nah, everything has timing,” Samuel said. “So, I promise you, when the time comes, it will come. And I’m way too prepared, way too ready for the moment. And when the right opportunity comes along, we’re here first, man. I’m ready to rock out.”
Since Samuel’s All-Pro campaign in 2021, in which he averaged an NFL-high 18.2 yards per carry, reception and logged 365 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, the veteran has averaged 59.8 receptions for 730.3 yards and 4.3 touchdowns per game. season from 2022-720 yards, while he was 1.20 yards per carry.
