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Dan Quinn just shut down the Deebo Samuel trade talk without even trying
Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Perry Knotts/GettyImages

Speculation is running wild about how the Washington Commanders could approach the 2025 trade deadline. People around the league aren't expecting fireworks. Still, there are increasing murmurings about general manager Adam Peters potentially selling off assets with just six draft selections at his disposal next spring.

Bill Barnwell from ESPN recently touted wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. as a stunning trade bargaining chip. That raised eyebrows and drew the ire of fans on social media, especially considering how well the All-Pro was playing before a nagging heel injury began to restrict his explosiveness.

The Commanders have dealt with extreme turbulence in their receiver room this season. Terry McLaurin is about to miss his fifth game of the campaign. Noah Brown hasn't been on the field since Week 2, and he'll be out for a lot longer yet. That's left Washington relying on less experienced players and practice squad elevations, which isn't exactly ideal.

Deebo Samuel's importance to Commanders was made abundantly clear by Dan Quinn

Samuel has been the constant, aside from his one-game absence. His versatility and physicality are significant assets for whoever is under center. And with quarterback Jayden Daniels returning to the lineup on Sunday Night Football, the former South Carolina standout could be in line for a profitable evening at the office.

Head coach Dan Quinn is expecting the same. He stated that Samuel looked like his old self in practice this week. His sharpness and dynamism have returned, which is the clearest indicator yet that the offseason trade acquisition will be a focal point in Week 9.

It's also a sign that Samuel will not be traded.

The Commanders are struggling to find the momentum needed, but all hope is not lost just yet. Removing the more prolific pass-catcher outside McLaurin — whose status moving forward remains a serious concern — sends the wrong message. And there is more chance he gets extended at season's end than Peters listening to trade offers so soon after his arrival.

If Samuel leaves for nothing in free agency, so be it. But the Commanders are in absolutely no position to be sending him elsewhere right now. Quinn, highlighting his importance and tone-setting mindset, confirmed that.

That might not be the case for others, but Peters doesn't have many valuable assets to move, even if he wanted to.

There would be a market for Samuel that would probably give Washington more than the fifth-round pick they gave up to secure his services from the San Francisco 49ers. But the immediate damage it would do to the offense and Daniels' growth makes it a gamble not worth taking.

It's that simple.


This article first appeared on Riggo's Rag and was syndicated with permission.

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