Deebo Samuel shares straightforward reason for wanting trade to Commanders
Deebo Samuel, 29-years-old, joined the Washington Commanders after spending six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers.
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Deebo Samuel (Image via AP)
Ahead of the 2025 season, longtime San Francisco 49ers key player Deebo Samuel shifted base to the Washington Commanders. After a gruesome season, the wideout had requested a trade from the Niners, who finished last in their division and flunked badly.
Although some concerns are swirling around Deebo Samuel’s ability to perform, the Commanders seem to have put trust in him. Even so, his presence will add a veteran backing to Jayden Daniels in terms of playing and learning the game.
In a recent video interview with the Commanders’ press panel, Samuel admitted that the trade request was one of the hardest things he had to do, considering he had really close friends in the city, down to the trainers and physios. He also revealed that he gave his agent a list of five cities he would love to play and Washington was one of them.
Although he admitted the trade was a hard decision, he didn’t hesitate to throw a subtle shade at his former team. Samuel explained that his reason to trade away stemmed from his desire to win, practically calling the Niners out for their performance last year.
One, being in San Francisco, I like winners. I like to win. I’m not one of your biggest losers. They (the Commanders) went to the NFC Championship.
Deebo Samuel said
Samuel mentioned his familiarity with Commander’s general manager Adam Peters, who was previously the 49ers’ assistant general manager. He also expressed a desire to be closer to his family on the East Coast.
Deebo Samuel hopes to rejuvenate his career in Washington
The Washington Commanders were one of the best teams last season, led by a new franchise quarterback and a head coach who understood the players well. The Commanders cruised through the regular season after finishing second in the NFC East behind the Philadelphia Eagles.
They defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions to make their first conference championship game in a long time. They possess a winning mentality, and Deebo Samuel hopes that it translates to his game as well.
What drew me here is, like I said, is it’s kind of close to home, really good team, really good quarterback. [WR] Terry [McLaurin] been playing top of his game for the past six years, so why not want to come over here and kind of contribute as much as I can?
Deebo Samuel said
Samuel also admitted that he appreciates that the Commanders didn’t limit his contract, considering he is coming from a bad season. The Commanders reworked his contract, guaranteeing $17 million of his 2025 salary and adding $3 million in incentives. Samuel also added that he would keep this as a motivation and show them his gratitude through performances.
That meant a lot. By not stepping on the field for this team, not meeting everybody in the building, it just kind of shows what they think. And for me, on my end, it’s just like, they put as much trust in me to do the things they did as far as my contract, I can’t come in here and let them down. I gotta give it my all, do all the things that I need to do to be the best version of myself when I come here.
Deebo Samuel added
All-in-all, Deebo Samuel has given all the words the management and the fanbase want to hear. However, it all comes to the actions, as Commanders set an even higher bar for 2026.
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