Figuring out which free agents to retain and which to let go will be Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters' first priority this offseason. And there is one name above all else causing fierce debate among the fan base.
The Commanders got some decent returns from Deebo Samuel Sr. after his offseason trade to the club. It didn't cost anything more than a fifth-round selection to get him into the building, and he more than met this compensation with a productive campaign in extremely difficult circumstances.
Samuel is a free agent this spring. He could be looking for one more big payday at this stage of his career. Given how Peters handled the contract standoff with Terry McLaurin last summer, he may not be willing to meet these financial demands.
If not, one NFL analyst believes there is a perfect landing spot for Samuel.
Deebo Samuel linked to the Dolphins if Commanders decide to let him walk
Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus thought the Miami Dolphins' hiring of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik made Samuel a lively option for the AFC West club, especially if Tyreek Hill is released. The new play-caller has a prior connection to the wideout, which could tip the scales if Washington doesn't keep him around.
"If [Deebo] Samuel isn’t returning to Washington, the Dolphins would make for a great destination for Samuel. Miami promoted Bobby Slowik as its offensive coordinator this offseason. Slowik was the 49ers' pass game specialist in 2021, which was Samuel’s one year as an All-Pro player. He caught 77 passes for 1405 yards that season and had 14 total offensive touchdowns that season. Miami would be the best place for Samuel to revitalize his career."Nathan Jahnke
This makes sense. Samuel could slot into Slowik's scheme effortlessly. They have questions to answer at the quarterback position, so having a dependable option in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field is crucial. Jaylen Waddle can take the top off defenses, which makes the former South Carolina standout a nice complementary piece.
With the Commanders making David Blough their new offensive coordinator, they need pieces to implement his system effectively. It should be a more pro-style offense, and there needs to be more dynamism alongside McLaurin. Just where Samuel fits into these plans remains to be seen, but it wouldn't be a massive shock to see him depart.
It'll also be interesting to see what the market is like for Samuel. His previous accomplishments need no introduction, but he's the wrong side of 30 now, and his All-Pro-caliber days seem to be over. The Commanders will be watching developments closely and will have contingencies in place if nothing can be worked out.
Time will tell, but moving to Miami would no doubt be a tempting proposition for Samuel.