When the Washington Commanders pulled the trigger on a trade for Deebo Samuel Sr., it raised more than a few eyebrows. The San Francisco 49ers were willing to absorb over $31 million in dead cap just to move on - a clear indication they felt his best days were behind him. Around the league, whispers about Samuel’s conditioning and locker-room presence painted a picture of a player on the decline, more trouble than talent.
But the Commanders - and specifically general manager Adam Peters - saw something different.
Peters gave up just a fifth-round pick to bring in the former All-Pro, betting on the idea that a change of scenery could reignite the fire in one of the league’s most unique offensive weapons. That gamble is paying off in a big way.
George Kittle on Deebo: “He’s got the aura”
On a recent episode of his Kittle Things podcast, 49ers tight end George Kittle offered a window into who Deebo Samuel really is - not the narrative, but the teammate. And his words echo what Commanders fans have come to realize this season.
“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. Sometimes guys need a fresh start and I think that’s what he wanted.”
Those aren’t throwaway compliments. That’s a respected veteran talking about a guy who brought energy, toughness, and versatility to a locker room - and who’s doing the same now in Washington.
A fresh start, a renewed impact
Since arriving in D.C., Samuel has been all business. He showed up in shape, locked in, and ready to contribute - not just as a playmaker, but as a leader. And with injuries thinning out the Commanders’ receiving corps - including absences from Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown, and rookie Luke McCaffrey - Samuel has stepped up in a big way.
He’s on pace for 901 yards from scrimmage this season, which would top his 2024 output. He’s already found the end zone six times, surpassing last year’s total. That kind of production, especially under less-than-ideal circumstances, is exactly what the Commanders were hoping for - and maybe more than they expected.
But it’s not just about the numbers. It’s how he’s doing it.
Samuel has been deployed all over the field - lining up wide, in the slot, and even taking snaps out of the backfield. That trademark physicality is still there.
He’s still breaking tackles, still delivering hits, still making defenders think twice before trying to bring him down. And perhaps most importantly, he’s been a tone-setter for a young offense trying to find its identity.
Reviving a reputation - and a career
The narrative that followed Samuel out of San Francisco - the questions about his conditioning, his attitude, his fit - has been thoroughly dismantled in Washington. He’s been a pro, plain and simple. And while his future in the nation’s capital isn’t set in stone just yet, he’s certainly making a strong case for a second contract.
If the Commanders decide not to extend him, there’s little doubt someone else will jump at the chance. Players who can do what Deebo does - and do it across multiple roles - don’t stay on the market long.
But from Washington’s perspective, this trade already looks like a win. A low-risk investment turned into a high-impact contributor. And if Samuel continues on this trajectory, keeping him around might not just be the smart move - it might be the necessary one.
Because what Deebo Samuel has brought to the Commanders isn’t just production. It’s presence. And that’s something you can’t always measure with stats.