It’s the end of an era in San Francisco.
The 49ers traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick, multiple insiders reported on Saturday.
Samuel, 29, has spent his entire six-year career in San Francisco, where he played in two Super Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2019.
In February, the 49ers gave him permission to seek a trade.
“It was a hard conversation to have with (head coach) Kyle (Shanahan) because of the relationship that we have,” Samuel told ESPN. “But I have to do what’s best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it’s best that we find another team.”
After posting an All-Pro season in 2021 with 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns in 2021, Samuel’s production has dropped after he signed a three-year, $71.6 million extension the following offseason that runs through the 2025 season.
In 15 games last season, he recorded 51 catches for 670 yards, 42 carries for 136 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.
Now, he heads to an emerging Commanders squad where he’ll be paired with reigning Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Behind Daniels, Washington made a surprise appearance in the NFC Championship game, upsetting the top-seeded Detroit Lions before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. General manager Adam Peters went into the off-season with the third-most salary cap space to use among 32 teams.
But Washington’s receiving corps was relatively thin despite Daniels’ brilliance.
Terry McLaurin emerged as the Commanders’ top target, hauling in 82 catches for 1,089 yards. His 13 receiving touchdowns were second only to Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase.
Samuel hasn’t reached 900 yards receiving in a season since the breakthrough 2021 campaign.
San Francisco entertained offers for Samuel last off-season but didn’t have any good enough to make a trade. General manager John Lynch said after the season that the Niners weren’t looking to trade Samuel.
The 49ers have depth at receiver even without Samuel. Brandon Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension last summer that begins in 2025. Aiyuk is coming off major knee surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Jauan Jennings is entering the final season of a two-year, $15.4 million contract after setting career highs with 77 catches for 975 yards in 2024. Ricky Pearsall showed promise late in the season after being drafted in the first round last year and is expected to play a bigger role in 2025.
Samuel is due a $15.4 million option bonus on March 22. Samuel also has a $1.17 million base salary for 2025. San Francisco would take a $31.6 million dead-cap charge with a trade based on bonuses already paid that haven’t hit the cap yet.
–with files from The Associated Press
