When the San Francisco 49ers traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders back in March, it wasn’t just a roster move-it was the end of an era. Samuel wasn’t just a playmaker; he was a tone-setter, a personality, a heartbeat in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. But football is a business, and the 49ers made a calculated decision to move on, clearing cap space that ultimately helped them lock in George Kittle with a record-setting extension and position themselves for the long haul with Brock Purdy under center.
Still, for Kittle, this wasn’t just about contracts and cap sheets. On a recent episode of Kittle Things, the All-Pro tight end sat down with NBA legend Kevin Garnett and opened up about the trade, giving fans a rare look into the emotional side of a locker room shake-up. His respect for Samuel was obvious-and heartfelt.
“I love Deebo. One of my favorite teammates of all time,” Kittle said.
“He’s got the aura. He’s got the persona.
He hits people. He makes all the superstar plays.
I love him to death.”
That’s not just lip service. Anyone who’s watched the 49ers over the past few seasons knows Samuel brought a unique edge to the offense.
He was the guy who could line up anywhere, break tackles like a running back, and shift the momentum of a game with a single play. But as Kittle pointed out, sometimes even the most beloved players need a reset.
“Sometimes guys need a fresh start and I think that’s what he wanted,” Kittle continued. “He wanted a change of scenery and I respect that.
It is what it is. I got great years out of Deebo and have a great relationship with him.
Kevin Garnett asked George Kittle his thoughts on the 49ers trading Deebo Samuel last offseason:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 2, 2025
“I love Deebo. One of my favorite teammates of all time. He’s got the aura. He’s got the persona. He hits people. He makes all the superstar plays. I love him to death. Sometimes… pic.twitter.com/TdtZLEtPdN
I love him for it, but if we play him I hope he doesn’t have a great game against us.”
That last line? That’s classic Kittle-competitive, honest, and still rooted in friendship.
He’s not pretending the trade didn’t sting, but he’s also not letting it cloud the bigger picture. The 49ers had to make tough choices to stay competitive.
Moving Deebo wasn’t just about parting with a fan favorite-it was about reshaping the roster around their young quarterback and their offensive core, which now leans heavily on Kittle and Christian McCaffrey.
The return for Samuel wasn’t flashy-modest draft compensation-but it gave the front office the flexibility it needed. And while Samuel now finds himself in Washington, stepping into a more traditional wide receiver role, the respect from his former teammates hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s grown stronger through the transition.
Kittle’s comments weren’t just about Deebo’s past contributions-they were about the kind of teammate he was behind the scenes. The guy who brought energy to the locker room.
The one who embraced contact and never shied away from the spotlight. And even though he’s now wearing a different uniform, the bond clearly remains.
So when the 49ers and Commanders eventually meet again, don’t expect any bad blood. But also don’t expect Kittle to roll out the red carpet. As much as he loves Deebo, he made it clear: friendship is friendship-but between the lines, it’s all business.