The San Francisco 49ers drafted Deebo Samuel in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Since then, the WR has spent his entire NFL career with the same team. Samuel had signed a three-year $73.5 million extension after an impressive 2021 season when he earned First-Team All-Pro honors.
However, things went downhill following that season and receiving a contract extension. Samuel has not been able to play according to the expectations he set, and now, the 49ers are finally parting ways with him after finalizing a trade this offseason.
NFL Fans React to Deebo Samuel Being Traded to the Washington Commanders
According to reports, the 49ers have finalized a deal to trade Samuel to the Washington Commanders.
In exchange for the WR, the Commanders are giving up a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, and his arrival will count $17.5 million against the team’s salary cap.
49ers trading WR Deebo Samuel to the Commanders for a 5th-round pick. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/V5hiStDf66
— NFL (@NFL) March 1, 2025
NFL fans took to social media to express their opinions on the Samuel trade
“Literally traded bro for a bag of chips ts crazy,” one fan commented.
“‘For a 5th round pick’ on baby Commanders is standing on business with this daylight robbery,” another fan stated.
“49ers gave him up for basically nothing,” this fan said.
“Another weapon for Jayden Daniels,” another fan stated.
“That trade makes no sense for the 49ers. Deebo is a game-changer, and a fifth-round pick isn’t close to enough value for him. Bad move,” one fan said.
“That’s what we call a steal,” another fan commented.
Samuel had a lackluster performance during the 2024 campaign. The 49ers finished 4th in the NFC West with a 6-11 campaign, failing to qualify for the playoffs. The WR only tallied 670 yards and three TDs receiving for the team while dealing with injuries.
After the season, Samuel requested the team to trade him. At the NFL Scouting Combine, 49ers GM John Lynch stated that the team had agreed to part ways with him.
“He’s asked for a fresh start, and I think we’re going to honor that,” Lynch said. “I don’t like seeing great players leave, and he is a great player….He makes plays and he makes game-changing plays.”
Despite confirming his departure, the trade will be official after the start of the new NFL league year on March 12.
NFL Analyst Expresses Concerns About Deebo Samuel’s Future After Commanders Trade
Samuel was arguably considered one of the best wide receivers in the league. However, the 29-year-old’s performance last season has led to questions about him being past his prime.
Now, as Samuel is traded to the Commanders for a fifth-round pick, NFL analyst and co-host of ‘Locked on Cowboys’ Marcus Mosher expressed concerns about the WR’s future in the NFL.
In a tweet he shared on X, Mosher stated that the low compensation that the 49ers accepted for one of their star players is an indication that Samuel is closing in to hanging his cleats.
“The fact that the 49ers are taking on $31M in dead money and only gaining a fifth-round pick tells you then think he is close to being done,” Mosher wrote.
The fact that the 49ers are taking on $31M in dead money and only gaining a fifth-round pick tells you they think he is close to being done. https://t.co/VXou3qDm7f
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 2, 2025
The Commanders had a great debut campaign under new head coach Dan Quinn. They made it all to the NFC Championship game, where they lost to the Super Bowl champs, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now, despite the cloud of uncertainty, Samuel is being traded to a strong team with 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels as their quarterback.
He has the chance to prove his critics wrong by improving his performance on the field this upcoming season with a new franchise.