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What’s going on with Deebo Samuel?
The 30-year-old wide receiver and 2021 All-Pro is among the best players remaining on the NFL free agent market, but the former Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers receiver has no plans to hang up his cleats anytime soon.
“In progress in 8th grade… [I] I still feel like I have a lot left, at least three, four good years,” Samuel said in a recent video posted on his YouTube page. “It’s been a little difficult, I’m not even going to lie to you. All this stuff about free agency, waking up in the morning, looking at your phone, seeing if your agent hit you up and said, “This team is interested,” or things like that. And it was a bit of a roller coaster. [I’ve] I’ve been through a lot, not just the ball.
“With me and the way I play this game, it’s like no matter what I’m going through, no matter what I’m doing, if I’m able to perform, I’m going to go out there and put it on the line for my team.”
After six seasons with the 49ers (2019-24), San Francisco traded Samuel to Washington, which was coming off a 2024 campaign that saw it reach the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991 — when it won Super Bowl XXV — and saw quarterback Jayden Daniels earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
That said, the Commanders had a 5-12 season in 2025, with Daniels only playing in seven games due to knee, hamstring and elbow injuries, respectively. In 16 games, Samuel totaled 72 receptions for 727 yards (10.1 yards per reception) and five touchdowns. All three totals led the Commanders, with Samuel also rushing for 75 yards and a score.
“Some people ask, ‘Are you ready to hang up?’ And I’m like, no, everything has timing,” Samuel said. “So, I promise you, when the time is right, it will come. And I’m too prepared, too ready for the moment. And whenever that right opportunity presents itself, we’re there first, man. I’m ready to go wild.”
Since Samuel’s 2021 All-Pro campaign, which saw him average 18.2 yards per reception and record 365 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, the veteran has averaged 59.8 receptions for 730.3 yards and 4.3 touchdowns per season from 2022 to 2025, while rushing for 167.0 yards per year.
