Deebo Samuel Sr. was looking for a fresh challenge away from the San Francisco 49ers with one year remaining on his deal. The Washington Commanders duly obliged by securing the wide receiver's services for nothing more than a fifth-round pick.
The Niners did right by the player, taking a little less than they initially wanted to get his salary off the books. This was a low-risk move by the Commanders, who added another weapon for quarterback Jayden Daniels and provided Terry McLaurin with the best running mate he's ever had in the receiver room.
Samuel's obvious intent after breaking his silence since the trade was confirmed is exactly what fans wanted to hear.
The former South Carolina standout issued a heartfelt message via The Players' Tribune. Samuel detailed the highs and lows of his time in San Francisco and will be forever grateful to the organization. He also highlighted how excited he was to be joining the Commanders.
Deebo Samuel Sr. issues purposeful message after Commanders trade
Samuel mentioned Daniels and McLaurin specifically as reasons for his enthusiasm. The versatile offensive weapon believes the Commanders are a great fit. He also thinks the 2025 campaign could be something truly special for all involved.
"D.C., we coming. I think this is one of the best possible fits for me, where I can go in and help a team. Honestly, when my agent asked me where I wanted to go, this was one of the teams at the top of my list. I started watching Jayden [Daniels] because of [Brandon] Aiyuk, that’s like his best friend. We used to chill, watch LSU games, and I knew he was going to be a stud. I’ve got some connections already with the coaching staff. Definitely ready to work with Terry [McLaurin] for sure, because we came in the league at the same time. I’ve heard how hard he grinds. I’m just ready to match the energy and get to it. S--t…. I got a feeling this season is about to be one of them ones."Deebo Samuel Sr.
There is a new purpose where Samuel is concerned. He's highly motivated and knows what a fantastic opportunity this could be. Washington is on the up with a franchise quarterback and plenty of resources to strengthen the ranks. Their Super Bowl window is open — the All-Pro's arrival is proof positive of that.
Samuel is ready to work. He's ready to fit into the improved culture within the Commanders. He's ready to become a focal point of Kliff Kingsbury's offense. He's ready to raise the bar and help Washington continue its remarkable progress under the new regime.
The signs are positive. Samuel is already working out to ensure he's ready to hit the ground running in a different environment. Kingsbury will already be working on play designs to maximize his skill set while also keeping him fresh. It wouldn't be a great shock if the first session with Daniels and McLaurin had already been arranged.
This won't solve every need. But Samuel gets Washington closer. If this bold move is the start of things to come, expectations are only going to increase.