The Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason trying to patch up a team that just took a rare step backward, but the offense still looks like it could use one more proven playmaker for Patrick Mahomes.
That’s why Deebo Samuel keeps popping up as a name worth watching. He’s still sitting in free agency after a productive 2025 season with the Washington Commanders, and the fit in Kansas City is easy to see.
Samuel played 16 games last year and led Washington in catches with 72, receiving yards with 727, and touchdown receptions with five. For a player who can line up on the perimeter, work the slot, and even take handoffs out of the backfield, that kind of production still carries real value.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently listed eight moves that need to happen before Week 1, and one of them was the Chiefs signing Samuel. Moton pointed to Andy Reid’s creativity as a major reason the move makes sense.
“Reid can flex his creative play-calling chops with Deebo Samuel. The versatile playmaker can pick up yards as a receiver on the perimeter or in the slot and occasionally take handoffs out of the backfield.
Last season, Samuel led the Washington Commanders in catches (72), receiving yards (727) and touchdown receptions (five). He can match or top those numbers in Kansas City's pass-centric offense.”
The connection to Reid is obvious. Samuel’s best seasons came with Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers, another offense built around creativity and movement. That’s part of why Kansas City feels like such a natural landing spot.
There’s also the simple matter of opportunity. Washington was not a good team last season, and Samuel would have a chance to join a contender again. Playing alongside Mahomes would be a huge draw, too.
He may be past his peak, but Samuel is still a productive player. His best year came in 2021, when he made the Pro Bowl after catching 77 passes for 1,405 yards and rushing for 365 yards and eight scores. Outside of an injury-shortened 2020 season, he has posted at least 600 receiving yards every year.
For Kansas City, the appeal goes beyond just adding another name. Samuel would give Mahomes a dependable option and some insurance if Rashee Rice or Xavier Worthy are unavailable. With the Chiefs’ current top receivers being a player coming off a 30-day jail stint and another who is often hurt, the case for another steady weapon is hard to ignore.
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