Breaking News: 49ers Trade Star WR Deebo Samuel to Commanders – What It Means for Both Teams

The San Francisco 49ers have traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick. This news, reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, came out on Saturday night. The trade won’t be finalized until the new league year starts on March 12.

As part of the deal, Washington will take on the rest of Samuel’s contract and pay his full salary of $17.55 million for the 2025 season. There were discussions about including defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in the trade, but he was ultimately not part of the final agreement.

For the Commanders, acquiring Samuel adds a talented playmaker to their roster, giving quarterback Jayden Daniels a reliable target. Samuel’s time in San Francisco was often exciting and sometimes rocky, marking the end of a six-year chapter with the team.

San Francisco faces a significant salary cap hit of over $31 million due to this trade. Samuel, who has one year left on his contract, will now count for $17.5 million against Washington’s cap, and there may be discussions about extending his deal.

Samuel was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and quickly became a favorite of coach Kyle Shanahan. He showcased his versatility by playing in various roles and has impressive career stats, including 4,792 receiving yards and 1,143 rushing yards. His best season was in 2021 when he helped lead the 49ers close to the Super Bowl, racking up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns.

However, after that standout season, Samuel requested a trade due to contract issues. The 49ers fielded offers but didn’t find anything suitable, leading to a three-year extension worth $71.5 million. In recent seasons, his production declined, averaging around 56 catches and 731 yards per year, with fewer rushing yards as well. Last season was tough for him as injuries affected his performance, resulting in career-low scrimmage yards.

Samuel’s relationship with the 49ers began to fray, highlighted by frustrations during games, including a confrontation with a teammate over a missed field goal. Despite his earlier claims of being content, he ultimately requested a trade again at the end of the season.

Now, with Samuel heading to Washington, the 49ers have to rethink their wide receiver roster. The team faces uncertainty with Brandon Aiyuk recovering from injuries and other key receivers on the brink of free agency. Although Samuel has moved on, his impact on the 49ers will be remembered, and both teams will be looking to capitalize on this new chapter.

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