The Washington Commanders and Deebo Samuel Sr. probably know where each other stand regarding a new deal for the wide receiver at this juncture. Fans will be in the dark until something gets confirmed, but the clock is ticking.
With free agency just a few short weeks away, the Commanders have some big decisions to make. They have the most pending free agents anywhere in the league, and could have north of $100 million in salary-cap space once additional moves are made. Not everyone will be let go, but whether their plans for the future include Samuel remains to be seen.
Much will depend on the money involved. Adam Peters will have a price in mind, but Samuel knows this is probably his last chance at a lucrative long-term extension. Then, there's offensive coordinator David Blough's new scheme and how the South Carolina product fits within it.
Commanders wouldn't be able to keep Deebo Samuel if the Chargers showed interest
If the Commanders and Samuel go their separate ways, there should be another team or two willing to take him on. Greg Auman of FOX Sports named the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers among those who may look to seal a deal with the versatile weapon if he hits the open market. The NFL insider also thought a deal in the $12-14 million per season range could be enough.
"The same player who once led the league at 18.2 yards per catch averaged a career-low 10.1 in 2025, and the versatile playmaker who once rushed for 365 yards and eight touchdowns was barely used as a ballcarrier, getting 75 yards and a single score. Can a creative offensive mind get more out of his skill set? Perhaps, but it's likely he'll get less this time around, closer to $12-14 million a year."Greg Auman
The Chargers are an interesting one. Samuel's best production came in the California sunshine, and he is also close with Mike McDaniel from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers.
Of course, McDaniel is now the Bolts' offensive coordinator after being fired by the Miami Dolphins. This brings significant intrigue, and it's expected to take quarterback Justin Herbert's game to new heights within a more diverse scheme. But in order for this to work, the pass-catching weapons around Ladd McConkey must be enhanced.
Samuel knows the system McDaniel will install. He stayed relatively healthy last season, displaying the kind of focus that silenced many of the doubts about his commitment. This also represents a chance to join a playoff contender and work with someone he's already formed a close bond with. So if the Chargers did come calling, there wouldn't be much the Commanders could do to tip the scales in their favor.
The Commanders must be ready for anything. And if Samuel does decide on another fresh challenge, Peters needs an aggressive response to ensure no momentum is lost.