For every guy making a triumphant return in the NFL, another is staring down the brutal reality of how fast things can go south. Right now, a free agent is facing this reality check. Once the rising star in the Los Angeles Chargers, this man now finds himself at a crossroads. Just a few years ago, Samuel Jr. looked like the next big thing. He had the name (his dad’s an NFL legend) and the game to back it up. But now, the 25-year-old cornerback is sitting in free agency limbo with the draft just around the corner. What happened?
Asante Samuel Jr.’s ‘24 season took a serious hit when a shoulder injury cut his time on the field. Just after playing 4 games, he landed on the injured reserve in October, and that was all it was. Later, he opened up about what he was dealing with. It wasn’t just a one time injury. Samuel said he’d been feeling lingering “stinger symptoms” in both shoulders after a collision, and even hinted that it’s something he has been struggling with since he was a kid. But that’s not all, folks. The team’s really concerned about his shoulder and neck; that’s a serious warning sign. Even though he’s young and talented, there’s been no movement in his free agency.
The writing was already on the wall, but Chargers GM Joe Hortiz made it pretty clear when asked if Samuel Jr. could come back this year. Alex Insdorf, Chargers’ insider, recently took to X and shared a post that all but seals Samuel’s fate: “Chargers GM Joe Hortiz on if the door is open to Asante Samuel Jr. returning: “That’s Asante’s conversation, not mine”.” It’s not really a flat ‘no’, but it’s not a ‘yes’ either. The indirect message is clear, though. If you’re healthy, you can play as a cornerback, and if not, we’ll see.
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz on if the door is open to Asante Samuel Jr. returning: “That’s Asante’s conversation, not mine.”
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) April 17, 2025
Samuel had impressive numbers backing him up for sure. Samuel has a sleek 163 tackles to his name, along with six interceptions and 35 pass breakups in his first three years with the Bolts. But those statistics are meaningless if his injury risk is a cause for concern. So while he sits on the bench waiting, we gotta ask: What’s next for Samuel?
Slim pickings for Samuel
Samuel visited the Arizona Cardinals recently, but nothing has really come out of it. In the PHNX Cardinals Podcast NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported, “I’ve heard that from teams, that it is a medical concern for him. If not, I mean, he’d be signed. He’s young enough and he’s got enough ability that right now it is a medical thing for him. It was a shoulder slash neck. – So for him to come in, there’s not a signing immediately, certainly an indication that there is a red flag there, not just for him, but for a few teams.”
Talent and good numbers don’t really mean much if you’re seen as a risk due to injury. That’s exactly where he’s at right now.
Nov 6, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) fumbles after being hit by Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Teams like the Washington Commanders have also been mentioned as possible fits. Mainly because of familiar faces on their coaching staff. But even then, the medicals need to check it out first and clear him. Kristopher Knox from the Bleacher Report says, “Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. likely remains available because of health concerns. – the stinger injuries that Samuel dealt with in 2024 have been a persistent ailment that the cornerback was “born with.” – Samuel would also fit well with the Washington Commanders. Washington doesn’t have a dire need for defensive backs after ranking third in passing yards allowed last season. However, defensive backs coach Tommy Donatell was Samuels’ secondary coach in L.A. for his first three seasons.”
If Samuel Jr. does get another chance, it’ll probably be with a team willing to take a risk. But let’s face it, that’s very dicey right now. One wrong move or injury, and his cornerback story will end before it really starts. A short-term deal could give him the opportunity to show that he can still play, but it will probably be like a “prove it first” kind of deal.
Asante Samuel Jr.’s story is a tough one, but it’s not unique. The league is brutal that way. If your body isn’t at 100%, or if a team decides you’re not part of the plan anymore, that might be curtain calls. The hope is that someone gives him another shot, but he has to be healthy for that. Timing, talent, and health will all have to line up straight, and if they don’t, things can unravel – really fast.
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