Wide receiver Deebo Samuel asked for a trade, and the San Francisco 49ers honored it in the first move of what has been a significant roster overhaul this offseason. There didn’t appear to be any ill will from Samuel, since he asked to be moved and presumably went to a team he wanted to go to.
The Washington Commanders also confirmed their commitment to Samuel by restructuring his contract to guarantee him $17 million this year, with another $3 million available via incentives.
During his introductory video call with Commanders reporters on Thursday, Samuel noted that, as well as history with Washington general manager Adam Peters, who worked for the Niners from 2017 through 2023.
“That meant a lot,” Samuel said, regarding the contract adjustment. “By not stepping on the field for this team, not meeting everybody in the building, it just kind of shows what they think. And for me, on my end, it’s just like, they put as much trust in me to do the things they did as far as my contract, I can’t come in here and let them down.”
Deebo Samuel takes casual shot at 49ers’ new direction
Amid a bunch of token answers to a bunch token questions common to an a introductory meeting with reporters in a new place, Samuel revealed that he had given a list of five preferred trade destinations to his agent when he had permission to seek a move.
So what made the Commanders stand out?
“One, being in San Francisco, I like winners. I like to win. I’m not one of your biggest losers,” Samuel said. “They (the Commanders) went to the NFC Championship. I’ve been knowing Adam Peters for a while. What’s so crazy is it’s kind of close to home, some of my family lives in Baltimore. They got a good team, for sure. They were just standing out.”
Samuel’s production has been trending down over the last three seasons, and last year’s disappointing record for the 49ers pushed trade rumors from the past to the culmination of a deal for move him.
The Niners and Commanders are definitely in different spots as organizations. Samuel learned what success looks like during his time in San Francisco, but he may have just given his former teammates a little bulletin board material without realizing it.
