The Colts will have to look elsewhere for help at wide receiver, because one of the biggest names still on the market is off the board.
According to Ian Rapoport, Deebo Samuel is headed back to San Francisco on a one-year deal that can reach $7 million. That takes him out of the mix for Indianapolis, even though his name made plenty of sense as a potential fit.
Samuel entered the league as a second-round pick by the 49ers in the 2019 NFL draft, and his résumé has long made him an intriguing target. In 2021, he was a first-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler, and early in his career he showed the kind of all-purpose skill set that lets an offense move him around and create yards after the catch.
His role changed this past year in Washington, though. He was used less as a ball carrier, and he finished the 2025 season with 72 catches on 99 targets for 727 yards and five touchdowns.
For the Colts, the appeal was obvious. The WR3 job is still there for the taking, and the depth chart behind the top spots still needs to be sorted out. Samuel’s production could have given the receiver room a real jolt.
But the fit wasn’t clean. Samuel has lined up both inside and outside over the course of his career, yet most of his snaps last season came from the slot. Indianapolis already has Josh Downs there, and the Colts need more help on the outside.
Even with Samuel now back in San Francisco, GM Chris Ballard said the Colts would still “consider” adding a free agent at receiver.
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