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Commanders Dealt Unfortunate Deebo Samuel Update on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Mar 2, 2026 7:29 PM ET

The Washington Commanders got what they needed from Deebo Samuel last season. Whether they bring him back is a different question entirely. Washington sent a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers to land Samuel, and he delivered as the team's top receiving option in 2025.

72 catches, 727 yards and six total touchdowns across 16 games. That kind of production mattered, particularly with the offense dealing with injuries to key contributors throughout the year.

Across seven NFL seasons split between San Francisco and Washington, Samuel has put together 406 receptions for 5,519 yards and 48 touchdowns on the ground and through the air, with one Pro Bowl appearance on his résumé.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel makes a catch.Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Still, a return to Washington may not be in the cards. NBC Sports' Matthew Berry recently shared an update on the situation, and his read was not encouraging for Samuel.

"I don't expect Deebo Samuel to return to the team," Berry wrote. "The team will look to add to the wide receiver room with an emphasis on speed, and don't be surprised if 2026 is Terry McLaurin's last year with the team."

Berry also flagged that the Commanders could shift direction in the draft. While many around the league expect Washington to target defense with the seventh overall pick, Berry noted that if the top three edge rushers are gone by then, the team could pivot to wide receiver Carnell Tate instead.

Washington Commanders wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel celebrate together after scoring a touchdown.Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Samuel is not the player he was during his prime years with the San Francisco 49ers, but Berry acknowledged he still carries short-term value. Contending teams are expected to pursue him in free agency. The sticking point will be money.

Samuel pulled in $17.5 million last season, and finding a market that matches that number won't be easy. For Washington, the plan appears to be moving on and rebuilding the receiver room around speed. Where that leaves McLaurin beyond 2026 is worth watching, too.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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