The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the offseason with a clear need at wide receiver-and one potential solution could come from a very familiar face.
Yes, the door is slightly ajar for a possible reunion with Deebo Samuel, just a year after the team moved on from the dynamic playmaker. And while nothing is imminent, the idea isn’t as far-fetched as it might’ve seemed last spring.
With Brandon Aiyuk reportedly having played his final snap in a 49ers uniform, and Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore all set to hit free agency, the Niners are staring down the possibility of a major reset at wide receiver. That’s a lot of production, experience, and versatility potentially walking out the door.
As it stands, the 49ers have Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, and Junior Bergen under contract for next season. That group offers some promise, but it’s also short on proven, durable production.
Pearsall, for example, has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Bergen and Cowing are intriguing prospects, but asking them to carry the load in a Super Bowl-caliber offense might be a stretch.
Robinson is a steady veteran, but he’s more of a complementary piece than a featured weapon.
One thing that’s become clear: the 49ers need more speed and reliability at the position. San Francisco’s wide receivers were among the slowest groups in the league last season, and that lack of explosiveness showed up in key moments. For an offense that thrives on timing, spacing, and yards after the catch, that’s a problem.
Enter Deebo.
Now, let’s be clear-Deebo Samuel isn’t the same player he was during his All-Pro 2021 campaign. He’s not going to stretch the field vertically or outrun corners on deep posts. But what he does bring is a deep understanding of Kyle Shanahan’s system, a physical edge in the run game, and a skill set that still fits the 49ers’ offensive DNA.
After being traded to Washington, Samuel put together a solid bounce-back season in 2025, posting 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns over 16 games. It wasn’t a return to peak form, but it was a step in the right direction-and a reminder that when healthy, he can still be a valuable contributor.
He’s no longer a WR1, and no one in San Francisco should be expecting him to be. But as a complementary piece in a retooled receiver room? That’s where things get interesting.
Of course, there are hurdles. Samuel is expected to seek a multi-year deal, and the 49ers know better than most how tricky those negotiations can get.
The last time around, contract talks with Deebo dragged on and got tense before ultimately ending in a massive extension. And while the eventual split between player and team wasn’t ugly, it was clear both sides were ready for a change.
There were also questions about Samuel’s conditioning and durability toward the end of his 49ers tenure. That’s not something the front office will forget overnight-especially with the team already dealing with injury issues at the position.
So, is Deebo Samuel the answer to the 49ers’ wide receiver problem? Not entirely.
He shouldn’t be the top target on their free-agent board. But if the market cools and he’s still available deeper into the offseason, a reunion could make sense-especially if the price is right.
It wouldn’t be a headline-grabbing move, but it could be a smart one. A low-risk addition of a player who knows the system, understands the culture, and still has something left in the tank.
Keep an eye on it. Stranger things have happened-and in the NFL, reunions have a way of sneaking up when you least expect them.