Deebo Samuel Sr. is still on the market, and that alone has opened the door to a reunion idea the Washington Commanders know all too well. After the Commanders didn’t bring him back in free agency, one NFL analyst pointed to a possible landing spot that would connect Samuel to a familiar face from last season.
Samuel’s 2025 season was productive despite the mess around him. He was supposed to be a secondary option next to Terry McLaurin, but when McLaurin missed a significant stretch because of injury, Samuel had to carry more of the load. He handled that challenge well enough, but the absence of quarterback Jayden Daniels for extended periods made the whole thing much harder to sustain.
Even so, it’s a little jarring to see Samuel still waiting for a team with training camps creeping closer. Maybe he’s holding out for the right situation.
Maybe the league thinks he’s already past his best. Both ideas can live side by side, but there’s still a case to be made that the South Carolina product can help the right roster.
That’s where the Los Angeles Rams come in. Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports called them an ideal fit, arguing Samuel would slot in behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams while bringing a different kind of threat in the short and intermediate passing game. With the Rams building what looks like a super team in the NFC West, it’s the kind of move that’s hard to ignore.
“Injuries have hindered (Deebo) Samuel throughout his career, which is why his next team should use him sparingly to increase his chances of staying healthy for the season. In that vein, the Rams make a lot of sense given what they already have at receiver.
"In Los Angeles, Samuel could complement Davante Adams and Puka Nacua while giving league MVP Matthew Stafford yet another weapon. It's safe to say Sean McVay would have a field day designing plays for the versatile Samuel."
If the Rams decide to seriously explore it, Kliff Kingsbury would matter a lot. He coached Samuel in Washington last season and spoke highly of him all year, so a reunion in California would at least make the transition easier. The problem is money.
Los Angeles is not exactly swimming in cap space, especially after landing All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade. For this to work, Samuel would likely have to accept a low, incentive-heavy deal. The tradeoff would be a real shot at a ring.
Samuel has already made plenty of money in his career. At this stage, the chance to chase and maybe lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy could mean more, and the Rams would be as good a place as any to do it.
For now, it’s only speculation. But with the Rams firmly in win-now mode, it’s not something that can be brushed aside.
The Commanders, meanwhile, have their own receiver issues behind McLaurin. Still, their run with Samuel appears to have been a one-and-done situation.
Where Samuel lands next will be worth watching. If it ends up being Los Angeles, he’d have plenty to like about it.
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