The Chargers have already spent the offseason reworking the offense around Justin Herbert, but one notable name is still sitting out there as training camp approaches: Deebo Samuel.
Samuel remains unsigned, and that alone makes him one of the most intriguing free agents left on the board. For Los Angeles, he represents the kind of addition that could give the offense a different gear without asking Herbert to do everything himself.
What makes Samuel so appealing is the way he can be deployed. He can line up outside, work from the slot, or even take snaps in the backfield.
That kind of flexibility is rare, and it would give the Chargers a weapon who can be used in a bunch of different ways. He has never fit neatly into the traditional wide receiver box, and during his prime with the San Francisco 49ers, he built a reputation as one of the league’s most adaptable offensive players.
That versatility would also make sense with the Chargers’ current receiver group. Samuel would bring an underneath presence and a player who can turn short touches into something bigger. He has long been the kind of offensive piece defenses have to track every time he’s on the field.
There’s also a familiar connection in play. Samuel spent time with new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in San Francisco from 2019 to 2021, and that shared history could matter as Los Angeles weighs its options.
The Chargers would not need Samuel to be the centerpiece. In a supporting role, he could give McDaniel more room to get creative with formations, motion packages and designed touches. He could also help create better matchups and ease some of the burden on Herbert to keep attacking downfield.
Of course, there are real questions here. Samuel is 30, has dealt with injuries over the course of his career and in recent years, and his production has fallen off from the All-Pro level he once reached. That decline is a big reason he’s still available this late in the offseason.
Even so, the gamble could make sense if the money is right. A short-term, incentive-laden contract would let the Chargers add a proven playmaker without tying themselves to a major long-term commitment. If Samuel bounces back, Los Angeles could end up with one of the offseason’s best value moves.
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