The Washington Commanders entered the offseason as one of the most intriguing teams, and with their cap space, Dan Quinn and Adam Peters were expected to be major players in free agency.
And it didn't even last until the scouting combine finished before the NFC East franchise got on the front foot and looked to improve its roster.
In exchange for a fifth-round pick, the Commanders received San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel, signaling Washington's Super Bowl intent.
Some balk at the price tag (reportedly due $21.5 million in 2025, per Ian Rapoport) it will cost Washington for one year of Deebo, but when he's healthy and flying, he's a true game-changer on offense.
With so many opinions on the trade, both good and bad, CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan has graded the move, and Washington, gets an A grade for bringing in the All-Pro.
"The Commanders had a clear need for a secondary pass catcher opposite of Terry McLaurin, and Samuel fills that need splendidly," Sullivan writes. "While McLaurin topped 1,000 yards receiving for the fifth consecutive year, no other Washington pass catcher was able to cross that threshold.
"This landing spot is also interesting for Samuel as it reunites him with current Commanders general manager Adam Peters, who was the vice president of player personnel for the 49ers when the team drafted him in 2019. Peters should have deep knowledge of what Samuel can bring to the offense and know how he'll fit with head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury."
Washington fills a need and has the cap space to take on Samuel's salary - tick and tick.
There was a need to get Terry McLaurin a viable running mate, and while Deebo hasn't been "Deebo" for a while, there are still remnants of a star in there. If he can get healthy, what he could do for Jayden Daniels with Kliff Kingsbury dialing up the plays is intriguing.
It now puts the Commanders firmly on the Super Bowl watch list and coming off a stellar first season under Quinn and Daniels, the Samuel trade is a clear marker that the NFC East franchise won't be playing games in 2025.
They're going for it all.
