At a time when a 49ers receiver badly wants to join the Commanders, a former Commanders receiver is rejoining the 49ers.
Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Deebo Samuel is returning to San Francisco. It’s a one-year deal worth up to $7 million. (The base value has not yet been disclosed.)
A second-round pick of the 49ers in 2019, Samuel became a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in his third season, with 1,405 receiving yards and 365 passing yards in 2021.
Things got ugly between Samuel and the 49ers in the 2022 offseason, with Samuel asking to be traded. He eventually signed a three-year, $73.5 million extension.
Before the final year of the deal in 2025, the 49ers traded Samuel to the Commanders for a fifth-round pick. He also agreed to a reduced contract, with a $17 million base salary and up to $3 milion in incentives.
With 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall’s season in doubt due to the lingering effects of a knee injury, the 49ers needed help at the position. Samuel joins a depth chart that includes Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, De’Zhaun Stribling, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowling, and Demarcus Robinson.
Samuel, 30, has one career 1,000-yard season. Last year in Washington, he caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns.
