Deebo Samuel’s next stop could be back in the NFC West, and one of the teams drawing attention is a 49ers rival.
Samuel, who led the Washington Commanders in receiving yards last season, is being viewed as a player who may be ready for a new landing spot. He has said he believes he could have "four good years left," which puts real weight on where he lands next and where he might finish his career. Some 49ers fans would obviously love to see those years spent in San Francisco.
That reunion, though, is far from guaranteed. Samuel’s exit from the 49ers may have ended on good terms, but it still included a trade request before he moved on. Whether the door ever opens again remains unclear.
CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani floated five possible destinations, and the Los Angeles Rams were among them. His case for the Rams centered on the idea that if San Francisco has no interest in bringing Samuel back, he could end up with its biggest division rival.
Sean McVay already has Puka Nacua and Davante Adams catching passes from reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, but the Rams still showed interest in A.J. Brown this offseason.
In that kind of offense, Samuel would not need to be the centerpiece; he could be the kind of versatile weapon used on a reverse or in third-and-short situations.
Dajani also pointed to the Los Angeles Chargers as another fit, especially with the offense getting a major overhaul under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Samuel’s best NFL season came in 2021, McDaniel’s lone year as San Francisco’s OC, when Samuel led the league with 18.2 yards per reception and posted 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. That reunion, Dajani argued, could make sense.
The 49ers may be able to live with Samuel going elsewhere. Seeing him land with another California team, especially one in the division, would be a different story.
And if the Rams were to add him on top of their recent trade for long-discussed wish list addition Myles Garrett, it would only sharpen the sting for San Francisco.
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