Speculation has been rising throughout the offseason regarding the Washington Commanders being a leading contender to land wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. The latest twist in the saga was finally something more concrete.
The San Francisco 49ers have granted permission for Samuel to seek a trade. General manager John Lynch stated during his media availability at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team and the player are on good terms. They want to do right by him and potentially get some extra draft capital along the way.
It didn't take long for the Commanders to come up in discussions. Adam Peters was in the Niners' front office when they spent a second-round selection on Samuel. The connection was almost too obvious. A recent insider report confirmed there is no smoke without fire.
Commanders have been 'aggressive' in Deebo Samuel trade pursuit
Jordan Schultz from FOX Sports revealed that the Commanders and Houston Texans have showcased significant interest in acquiring Samuel, which ramped up in recent days. Nothing is confirmed as yet, with the insider adding that other teams are ready to enter the discussions.
The Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly checked in. However, it's the Commanders and Texans who've been the most aggressive according to Schultz.
This isn't a great shock. The Commanders need a No. 2 wide receiver to go alongside Terry McLaurin and provide quarterback Jayden Daniels with another prolific weapon in the passing game. Samuel is a versatile, explosive piece that fits into Kliff Kingsbury's schematic concepts well. His down year in 2024 is concerning, but Peters has earned enough trust since joining Washington last year.
If Peters thinks Samuel has some good football left, that should be enough for fans. They are working to make something happen if Schultz's report is accurate, but there are significant financial hurdles to navigate before anything becomes official.
The Niners would be taking on $33.51 million in dead money if they traded Samuel before June 1 based on Over the Cap's projections. Agreeing to the trade and making it official after June 1 sees this figure drop to $10.75 million. That's a big difference.
It seems unlikely that the former South Carolina standout is going to take less on his deal. But these things can always work themselves out given the mutual desire for a break up.
Samuel has one more year remaining on his deal. If he ends up in Washington, the chances of getting an extension are slim. They could adopt a wait-and-see approach, giving the dynamic dual-threat added urgency to make an impression.
This is a fast-moving situation. Schultz's report indicates conversations are gathering pace between the Niners and willing suitors. In typical cases, official confirmation follows shortly after.
Peters wants to build through the draft. But with the Commanders having their Super Bowl window open sooner than expected and the need to maximize Daniels' rookie contract, being bolder was almost guaranteed this offseason.
The Commanders are in the mix. There is competition for Samuel's services, and Peters' already-developed relationship with Lynch is only going to help smooth negotiations.
Watch this space…
