Positive rumors are swirling around the Washington Commanders for the first time in decades. This team descended into disgrace and became an NFL pariah under the previous owner. Now, they are a hotbed destination again after a sensational run to the NFC Championship game.
There aren't many better situations around the league right now. Adam Peters is loaded with salary-cap space and has seven draft selections at his disposal. Nothing is off the table in pursuit of improvements, including another aggressive move in the trade market if the right situation presents itself.
One player who looks set for a move this offseason is Deebo Samuel Sr. The explosive wide receiver had his trade request granted by the San Francisco 49ers as they look to balance the books. While his production dipped in 2024, he remains one of the league's best after-the-catch weapons. He's also connected to Peters, who was part of the brain trust that drafted him No. 36 overall in 2019.
Samuel is an All-Pro performer at the peak of his powers and should be highly motivated with a fresh challenge. Parting ways with assets will give Peters cause to look in a different direction, especially considering the money attached. But if one insider's prediction is accurate, the possibility becomes far more intriguing.
Insider's projection changes Deebo Samuel landscape for Commanders
Dan Graziano from ESPN outlined how difficult it will be for the Niners to secure a trade for Samuel. The financial implications after kicking the can down the road through restructuring have come back to haunt them. Releasing the wideout and spreading the dead money around represents a more viable solution.
From a cap standpoint, they really can't trade him. Because of the way they've restructured [Deebo] Samuel's deal over the years, the 49ers would take on $31.55 million in dead money cap charges for 2025 if they traded Samuel. That number would go up to about $47 million if they traded him after his March 22 option bonus came due, so this will obviously play itself out before then. Releasing Samuel before March 22 and designating him as a post-June 1 cut is the only reasonable way for the 49ers to go here. It would result in a dead cap hit of roughly $10.75 million this season, and the remaining $20.8 million or so in dead money would go on their 2026 cap.Dan Graziano
Giving up a draft pick for Samuel is a divisive topic among Washington's fanbase. However, if Peters can land the versatile playmaker without sacrificing capital, it changes things considerably.
The Commanders wouldn't be alone in coveting Samuel if he hit the open market. He'd get a few offers from contending teams hoping the South Carolina product still has something left in the tank. Washington would have had no shot in a free-agent sweepstakes previously. That's not the case anymore.
Samuel's connection to Peters, the Commanders' recent resurgence, their ambition to contend sooner than expected, and the presence of Jayden Daniels under center are strong selling points. The promise of a significant role in an offense suited to his strengths is another positive working in Washington's favor.
If the Commanders are looking for a decent complimentary piece to go alongside Terry McLaurin — and they should be — Samuel would be a tremendous addition should he get released. And nobody will know more about what makes the player tick than Peters.
