The 49rs had a disastrous performance this year. Their star receiver, Deebo Samuel, was so affected by the losses that he requested a trade out. Kyle Shanahan didn’t want this. But the WR had always given his all on the field for them. So, the GM John Lynch agreed to give him the option to explore a trade. According to the latest updates, the WR is on his way out of the Niners Empire.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Deebo Samuel is going to the Commanders where he will join QB Jayden Daniels. Another insider, Adam Schefter, claimed that the Commanders have agreed to take on his remaining contract and pay his full $17.55 million salary for the 2025 season. This also brings financial relief to the 49ers, as Deebo Samuel was due $21.7 million this year. However, San Francisco will still take a dead cap hit of nearly $31 million for 2025.
The #49ers are trading star WR Deebo Samuel to the #Commanders for draft pick compensation, sources say.
Samuel, due $21.7M this year, now heads to join former SF exec Adam Peters and play with QB Jayden Daniels, who gets another weapon. pic.twitter.com/h9Ku5U6uX1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2025
The writing was on the wall for Deebo Samuel long before the trade. The 49ers had already started preparing for life without him last offseason when they used their No. 31 pick on Ricky Pearsall. Then came the contract moves—Brandon Aiyuk locked in on a four-year, $120 million extension, and Jauan Jennings secured a two-year, $15.39 million deal. Now, the transition is complete. Samuel is heading to Washington.
Given they’re taking care of the financial side, the Commanders are only sending across a 5th round pick in the upcoming draft to the 49ers in return. For a veteran like Deebo Samuel, this move might reignite some passion and a fire to repay the faith that Washington is putting in him. Dan Quinn coached the Commanders to a surprise Conference Championship game appearance in their first season, and is adding firepower in the hopes of going a step or two further in 2025.
Speaking of which, there are rumors that even the other 49ers star WR Brandon Aiyuk could reunite with Jayden Daniels at the Commanders. Now that would be wild!
Curious about the link between these two? Stay tuned while we bring you more!
The post Kyle Shanahan Passes Down $21.7 Million Headache to the Commanders as Jayden Daniels Reported to Unite With an Old Friend appeared first on EssentiallySports.
