Last offseason, the Washington Commanders made a major move by trading for Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers to bolster their offense
Ultimately, the Commanders finished with a 5-12 record, and Samuel entered free agency. A 49ers insider has discussed the possibility of the veteran wide receiver returning to San Francisco.
San Francisco 49ers Insider Talks Potential Deebo Samuel Reunion
For the 2025 season, Samuel renegotiated his contract with the Commanders following his trade from the 49ers, which made him a free agent for the 2026 NFL season.
In his lone year with Washington, Samuel recorded 72 receptions for 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while adding another score as a rusher. In PFSN’s NFL Wide Receiver Impact Metric (WRi), he ranked No. 34th with an impact score of 77.2 and a letter grade of C+.
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There has been speculation about a reunion between the 49ers and their former wide receiver. Here is what 49ers insider Matt Maiocco said on the subject:
“’I wouldn’t expect Jennings to be back to the #49ers. I wouldn’t expect Deebo to come back.’”
Insider Matt Maiocco believes WRs Jauan Jennings and Deebo Samuel will NOT play for the #49ers next season — and that they’d have 0 interest in Cowboys WR George Pickens.
“I wouldn’t expect Jennings to be back to the #49ers. I wouldn’t expect Deebo to come back.”
VIA:… pic.twitter.com/VTP5hbySi0
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) February 14, 2026
It appears Samuel will not return to his former team next season. He remains a highly talented player, but he has considerable mileage on his body; he turned 30 in January and has been used extensively as both a rusher and a wide receiver. Wherever he signs in free agency, it is unlikely he will command WR1 money or be considered a WR1.
Here’s how Samuel compares with the 2025 49ers who qualified in PFSN’s WRi.
Ricky Pearsall
Ricky Pearsall ranked No. 19 with an impact score of 81.5 and a letter grade of B-. In nine games, he caught 36 receptions for 528 yards and no touchdowns.
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Kendrick Bourne
Kendrick Bourne ranked No. 62 with an impact score of 72.8 and a letter grade of C-. In 16 games, he caught 37 passes for 551 yards and no touchdowns.
Jauan Jennings
In 15 games, Jennings ranked No. 77 with an impact score of 71.1 and a letter grade of C-. He caught 55 passes for 643 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
Demarcus Robinson
Demarcus Robinson ranked No. 86 with an impact score of 69.4 and a letter grade of D+. He caught 22 receptions for 276 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in 14 games.
