One Commanders player cashed in a big Christmas gift after an impressive game and possibly secured a spot for the future

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Dec 25, 2025 9:55 PM ET

The Washington Commanders fell short of a Christmas Day win against the Dallas Cowboys, but it wasn't because of the offense this time.

Yes, a loss to your NFC East rivals hurts, but after this season, the team needs any kind of positive takeaways they can get. We saw one player step up when the team needed him to, and he's being rewarded for it after hitting a contract incentive bonus.

The Commanders have a ton of decisions to make this offseason, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel is making sure he ends the season on a high note to make an impression for a new contract.

Deebo Samuel has a massive game against the Cowboys for a contract incentive bonus

Heading into the Cowboys game, many players still have plenty to play for, including pride, a spot on the team next year, or even a contract bonus, and Samuel played for all three. Going into the game, Samuel needed two more catches for $450,000 and $250,000 with 61+ receiving yards. Samuel wasted no time getting active for his bonus, which he hit after finishing with two catches for 68 yards, and he fought for every yard.

He took a screen play 41 yards on the opening drive, and really set the tone that they weren't backing down in a lost season.

Deebo Samuel: pic.twitter.com/Vkzedp0qRX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 25, 2025

Helping out your third-string quarterback, Josh Johnson, is a great way to start the game, especially when you run defenders over along the way. It wasn't his only big play of the game, however, and he took another short, quick pitch in the backfield for 27 yards to hit his contract incentives bonus.

Deebo is on a mission this Christmas

DALvsWAS on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/9MpZH9HmMU
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2025

The Commanders have a decision to make with Deebo Samuel this offseason

The Commanders have a list of free agents to either re-sign or move on from and replace, and Samuel is on that list. Whether it's in free agency or the NFL Draft, the Commanders have to add more help for Jayden Daniels. Will Samuel come back, though? He's already expressed that he wants to stay, and price will be a major factor, of course.

The Commanders will have plenty of salary cap space to play with, but also a lot of needs on both sides of the ball to address . Samuel is ensuring he ends the season strong to add to his resume, making Adam Peters' decision this offseason even harder after trading for him.

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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