Is former Commanders WR Deebo Samuel's ideal spot back with the 49ers?

After an incredibly successful 2024 season, the Washington Commanders still needed a few pieces to take their roster to the next level. One of the ways they attempted to do that was by trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. He was meant to be a complement to Terry McLaurin in former coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued the Commanders' 2025 season, so their success was, well, nonexistent. However, the injuries that sidelined McLaurin gave Samuel a chance to prove himself. Quarterback instability hampered his ability to do that, but his effort did not go unnoticed. The few seasons prior, Samuel's role in San Francisco changed dramatically with the arrival of Christian McCaffrey. The Commanders have chosen not to re-sign Samuel at this time, and one CBS Sports article suggests that Samuel's ideal landing spot is where he began his career: With the San Francisco 49ers.

Deebo Samuel lost a step in 2025, and he also battled through quarterback instability. Samuel averaged a career-low 10.1 yards per reception in 2025, and the two lowest receiving yards per game totals of his seven-year career came in 2024 (44.7) and 2025 (45.4). Samuel isn't the same bulldozing Swiss Army knife that once served as the focal point of Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers offense. He can still knock would-be tacklers over in the open field after the catch, as evidenced by his playmaking against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas, but his separation in his route running is slipping. Samuel still has value in 2026, but it's not what it once was in his prime.

It would make all the sense in the world for Samuel to come back home to San Francisco. Kyle Shanahan will certainly look to lighten running back Christian McCaffrey's workload after 413 touches in the regular season. That's the most in a season since Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray's 449 back in 2014. McCaffrey also turns 30-years-old on June 7. Bringing back Samuel to fill in for McCaffrey on some of the checkdowns and screens in Shanahan's offense could maximize the former's skill set while preserving the latter for postseason football.

While it might make complete sense for this to occur, it would be a huge smack in the face for Samuel, who only just turned 30 himself. He may not be the guy we first saw when he came into the NFL in 2019, but heading back to San Francisco feels like a step backwards.

There are plenty of other receiver-needy teams that would salivate at the thought of bringing in a veteran like Samuel. And once the draft is over, it would be a massive shock if he's not signed quickly. He still has value on many rosters, and after what he went through with the 49ers, it's hard to imagine he would want to go back there. However, both sides could view it as water under the bridge and be willing to move forward with a new perspective.

Let's also not rule out the Commanders bringing Samuel back in 2026. It's a very slim chance, but if they still need someone to distract opposing defenses from Terry McLaurin, Samuel has the ability to help fill that role. Washington liked Samuel and what he brought to the offense last season in tough times. But he was a better fit for Kingsbury's scheme than he will be for the new coordinator David Blough's offense. The Commanders need receiver help, but prefer another outside option opposite McLaurin, whereas Samuel is more of a slot/weapon.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Ideal landing spot for WR Deebo Samuel