The Washington Commanders began their season in the win column, and their drubbing of the New York Giants represented instant redemption for one of Adam Peters' high-profile additions over the offseason.
Washington got to see several new faces finally take the field for meaningful snaps after an offseason that included supreme aggression from the second-year general manager. Then, there was the anticipated spark provided by seventh-round rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Out of all of those newcomers, one was easily the most visible on the field. It happened to be the player who was also considered the most polarizing acquisition.
Deebo Samuel Sr. gave Commanders instant vindication with superb Week 1 showing
Deebo Samuel Sr. was traded to Washington by the San Francisco 49ers, following what was by many metrics the worst season of his career. He accounted for a career low in receiving yards per game (44.7) and was scrutinized for complaining about not getting the ball enough. He was also the subject of scathing (and harsh) criticism about his conditioning after the move.
If that was supposed to spell disaster for Samuel in Washington, it sure didn't show in Week 1.
After being the Commanders' de facto No. 1 receiver for most of the summer due to Terry McLaurin's controversial absence, he wasted no time getting his bounce-back campaign off the ground. Samuel compiled 96 total yards and scored the game-sealing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
That's exactly how to announce yourself in a new environment.
It was a vintage Samuel play. He took an end-around 19 yards to the house while evading an army of Giants defenders who didn't look very interested in tackling him. The touchdown turned what was a one-score game into a 15-point lead that, in retrospect, was never as close as it looked.
DEEEEEEEBO FOR 6️⃣
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
NYGvsWAS on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/jnX4vSrL4D
The hope for Samuel was that Kliff Kingsbury's offense would suit him hand-in-glove. Thus far, that is proving to be the case. His presence also opens up the field for all of the Commanders' other weapons, giving Washington a second formidable playmaker on the outside opposite McLaurin.
McLaurin can still be expected to be the star of the unit, and it shouldn't come as a surprise that he looked rusty after being away from the field all offseason. The two-time Pro Bowler caught only two passes for 27 receiving yards, but it didn't matter because Samuel had himself a day to remember in his Commanders debut.
Sometimes a player just needs a change of scenery.