Deebo Samuel had a difficult season in Washington, but it wasn’t really his fault. The Commanders dealt with countless injuries and underperformed far more than anyone expected. Through it all, Samuel was often one of the few bright spots on the field.
Still, his time in Washington will likely be remembered as a tenure that didn’t work out. He now enters free agency with some uncertainty about his next move.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell highlighted some of the challenges Samuel faces. At 30 years old in January, his age is starting to factor in. Samuel also has a history of injuries and has struggled at times to hold on to the football. Barnwell notes that these issues will limit his market. It’s unlikely Samuel will receive a multiyear guaranteed deal. He may even need to take a pay cut from the $17.5 million he earned this season.
Even when quarterback Jayden Daniels played, Samuel wasn’t a deep threat. In six games with Daniels under center, Samuel caught 99 passes for 850 yards. Most of his production came on short throws, screens, and lateral passes. His average target traveled just 4.5 yards through the air, ranking near the bottom among wide receivers in target depth. This shows how much Samuel’s impact depends on getting the ball in space rather than stretching the field vertically.
Teams interested in Samuel will need a plan to use him correctly. He is still dangerous with the football. His speed and strength make him hard to tackle, and he can create big plays once he gets the ball in his hands. But he is not a traditional wide receiver who can reliably beat coverage deep downfield. To get the most out of Samuel, a team has to design their offense around his unique skill set.
Despite the limitations, Samuel still offers value. A team that understands how to use him can benefit from his versatility. He can line up in multiple spots, contribute in the running game, and take short passes to the house. But his next contract will almost certainly be lower than what he could have commanded a season or two ago.
Samuel’s journey shows that even talented players sometimes face tough circumstances. Washington struggled as a team, but Samuel showed flashes of what made him special with the 49ers. Now, it’s up to the right team to recognize that value and build around him. Whoever signs him will need creativity and patience, but they could get a playmaker capable of changing games in space.
The coming months will reveal which team is willing to take that bet on Deebo Samuel and how he will be used in his next chapter.