Deebo Samuel is set to have a fresh start with the Washington Commanders following a six-season tenure with the San Francisco 49ers. On March 12, Samuel was traded to the NFC East franchise for a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
After a tumultuous 2024 campaign with 51 receptions, 670 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, the veteran wide receiver was dealt to Washington to join AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.
Fresh off an NFC championship Game appearance, the Commanders have high expectations for 2025. Samuel is motivated to prove doubters wrong and make an impact on his new team from the start.
"They're getting a motivated Deebo," Samuel said in his introductory video conference on Thursday, via The Associated Press. "I'm very motivated. I'm just ready to get back to work. I'm just ready to get around a group of guys, meet with the players and we just go from there."
The Commanders guaranteeing his $17 million salary helped Samuel get more motivated for this season, vowing he'll do everything to help the squad.
"It just kind of shows what they think," Samuel said. "For me on my end, it's just like they put this much trust in me ... as far as my contract, I can't come in here and let them down. I've got to give it my all. I've got to do all the things that I need to do to be the best version of myself when I come here."
At 29, Samuel should still be able to make an impact on a Commanders team keen to make another deep playoff run and potentially reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1991 season.
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