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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and quarterback Brock Purdy.
In short order, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy found out what it means to get big-time paid in the NFL — something quarterbacks like Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson already knew all too well.
You want your money? Fine. Be prepared not to have as many weapons around you.
Purdy’s lesson came when the 49ers traded away one of his favorite targets, NFL All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel, to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2025 fifth round pick on March 1.
What Purdy got in return — a 5-year, $265 million contract extension on May 16 — still didn’t stop him from whining about Samuel’s exit on a recent appearance on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast hosted by former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan.
“It sucks, dude,” Purdy said. “He’s my boy. I love Deebo. Day 1, he’s always had my back and believed in me when I got in. I didn’t really know how the guys were going to take it when I did get thrown in. Jimmy went down, I was the last quarterback, and Deebo was nothing but just great to me, dude, building me up, and just giving me confidence. In games, we fed off each other’s energy and building each other up. It was awesome, and over the last couple of years, same thing. So, we created just a great relationship. He’s my brother.”
While it’s bad news for Purdy, who will also be without star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to injury to start the season, he’s still got $265 million coming down the pipeline. It’s also good news for the Commanders, because Samuel sounds like an awesome teammate.
Samuel Solidifies Commanders as Contenders
Adding Samuel and Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in a pair of trades has solidified the Commanders as Super Bowl contenders in 2025. They join a group that includes NFL All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels at quarterback.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox gave the Commanders an “A” grade for the Samuel and Tunsil trades.
“While (Samuel) had a down season in 2024, his upside as a multi-faceted runner and receiver makes the move a win for both Washington and second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels,” Knox wrote on July 7. ” … While the 49ers ate a $31 million dead-cap hit to trade Samuel, they made a clean financial break—he had void years running through 2029. This helped give general manager John Lynch a clear path extending both tight end George Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy during the offseason.”
Commanders Get Samuel in Critical Year
The Commanders got Samuel to rework his contract and agree to a 1-year, $17.5 million contract for 2025, but more importantly they will get a player who should be at his very best as he tries to secure one more massive payday.
If Samuel can come close to what he’s at when he’s his very best, both he and the Commanders stand to benefit greatly. The Commanders in terms of Daniels’ development and the win column and Samuel in terms of his bank account — he could very well earn a deal that pays him upwards of $20 million per year in the free agent market.
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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