Deebo Samuels Free Agency Twist Has 49ers Fans Torn

Amid his ongoing free agency, Deebo Samuel hints at readiness to return to the field, but teams remain cautious in pursuing the talented wide receiver.

Deebo Samuel is still looking for a landing spot in free agency, and his latest social media post sounded like a player trying to remind the league he’s available.

The former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver posted, “Ready for whatever!!!” and added a lock and key emoji to the message. The note came as Samuel remains unsigned after spending last season with the Washington Commanders, following the trade from San Francisco.

Samuel’s 2025 season with Washington was solid. He finished with 727 receiving yards on 72 catches and scored six touchdowns. He’s not the same all-purpose weapon he was five years ago in San Francisco, but he still brings value as a veteran receiver who could help a team as a No. 3 option.

So where could he end up?

A few teams stand out because of familiar coaching ties. The Los Angeles Chargers are one possibility, since Mike McDaniel is the offensive coordinator there and previously saw Samuel at his peak.

The Tennessee Titans also fit the bill. Robert Saleh knows Samuel well, and second-year quarterback Cam Ward could use a veteran like Deebo to help him settle in.

The Houston Texans are another logical spot, with DeMeco Ryans as head coach. If they’re serious about building around C.J. Stroud, Samuel could be a useful depth addition.

And there’s even a path back to San Francisco, at least on paper. A reunion with the 49ers does not seem impossible, even if it would be a strange twist for a player who once terrorized defenses there. If Samuel really is “ready for whatever,” then a role as a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver might be on the table.

Of course, the 49ers would have to make the numbers work. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling and veteran Christian Kirk are already in the mix, and a move for Samuel would likely mean cutting Demarcus Robinson to clear space.

There’s also the possibility of Samuel handling kick- and punt-return duties again. He no longer has the same burst or explosiveness, but if he can secure the ball, that’s the part Kyle Shanahan would care about most.

Samuel may not be the player he once was, but he’s still a good football player. He should get another chance soon.

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