If you haven’t checked the NFL standings in a few months, seeing Deebo Samuel in anything other than a San Francisco jersey might feel like a glitch in the Matrix. For years, he was the heartbeat of the Bay Area. He was the "wide back." He was the guy who could catch a slant and turn it into a track meet or take a handoff and run through a linebacker’s soul.
But things changed fast.
Honestly, the NFL business moves at a speed that makes your head spin. One minute you're the face of a franchise, and the next, you're packing boxes for a move across the country. If you’re looking for the short answer to what team does Deebo Samuel play for right now, here it is:
As of early 2026, Deebo Samuel is a member of the Washington Commanders.
Wait, what? Yeah. It’s real. After a saga of trade requests and salary cap gymnastics that would make an Olympic coach tired, the 49ers finally pulled the trigger on a deal that sent their most versatile weapon to the nation’s capital.
The Trade That Actually Happened
It wasn't just a rumor this time. On March 12, 2025, the San Francisco 49ers officially traded Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders.
It was a "end of an era" kind of moment. In exchange for one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league, the 49ers received a 2025 fifth-round draft pick. If that sounds like a bargain for Washington, it’s because it absolutely was. But you have to look at the context. San Francisco was staring down a massive contract for Brock Purdy, and Deebo’s production had dipped just enough in 2024 to make him the odd man out in a crowded, expensive room.
The move was basically a "roster reset" for both sides. Washington wanted a veteran presence to help their young star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, while the Niners needed to shed salary and pivot toward younger, cheaper talent like Ricky Pearsall.
How Deebo Fits in Washington (The 2025 Season Review)
Transitioning to a new team at nearly 30 years old isn't easy. You've got to learn a new playbook, build chemistry with a new QB, and find your place in a different locker room culture.
In Washington, Deebo stepped into a role that looked a bit different than his peak "Wide Back" days in 2021. He wasn't getting 10 carries a game anymore. Instead, he became a safety valve and a yards-after-catch (YAC) specialist for Jayden Daniels.
Look at the numbers from this past season. Deebo finished the 2025 regular season with:
- 72 receptions (his most since that monster 2021 campaign)
- 727 receiving yards
- 5 receiving touchdowns
- 17 carries for 75 yards and a rushing score
He still has that "19 Problems" energy, but the Commanders used him more as a pure receiver. He led the league in screen targets, which makes sense. If you give Deebo the ball with space and a couple of blockers, he's still going to make people look silly. He’s basically the ultimate "get out of jail free" card for a young quarterback under pressure.
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Why the 49ers Finally Let Him Go
You can't talk about what team does Deebo Samuel play for without acknowledging the "why." Fans in Santa Clara were heartbroken, but the writing had been on the wall for a while.
There was a lot of friction behind the scenes. Between the trade requests in previous offseasons and a 2024 season where Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk often felt like the primary targets, the relationship had run its course. Plus, the money was getting weird.
The 49ers had to absorb a significant dead cap hit to move him, but they decided it was better to do it sooner rather than later. They were betting on their system. They were betting that Kyle Shanahan could manufacture that production elsewhere. Washington, on the other hand, had the cap space and the desperation for a proven winner to help push them into the elite tier of the NFC.
Is he staying in Washington for 2026?
This is where it gets interesting.
Deebo’s current contract status is a bit of a "wait and see" situation. He is technically set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) in 2026. His original extension with the 49ers had void years for 2026 and 2027, which Washington inherited.
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Right now, the Commanders have a big decision to make. Do they give a 30-year-old receiver with a long injury history a fat new extension? Or was he just a one-year rental to help Jayden Daniels find his footing?
The Washington Post recently pointed out that Samuel is likely to be the most expensive free agent on the Commanders' list this offseason. With his birthday being January 15th, he’s officially hitting the "veteran" wall in NFL years. But the production is still there. He caught 72 passes in 2025—that's not exactly "washed" territory.
What Most People Get Wrong About Deebo
There’s a common misconception that Deebo is just a "gadget player." People think if you stop the jet sweep, you stop Deebo.
That’s honestly insulting to his game.
What makes him dangerous in Washington—and what made him a legend in San Francisco—is his ability to win at the catch point. He’s 6'0" and 215 pounds of pure muscle. He plays wide receiver with the mentality of a pulling guard. Whether he's playing for the Commanders or anyone else, his value isn't just in the stats; it's in the way he forces a defense to commit extra bodies to the line of scrimmage.
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Practical Insights for Fans and Fantasy Owners
If you're following Deebo's career into the 2026 season, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Franchise Tag: If Washington can't reach a deal, keep an eye on whether they use the tag. It's expensive for a receiver, but they might not want to lose that veteran leadership.
- The "Age 30" Factor: History isn't kind to physical, YAC-heavy receivers once they hit 30. If he stays in Washington, expect his rushing attempts to continue to drop as the team tries to preserve his health.
- The Jayden Daniels Connection: Their chemistry was the highlight of the Commanders' 2025 season. If Deebo leaves, Washington's offense will need a massive identity shift.
At the end of the day, Deebo Samuel is a Washington Commander, but the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league. He proved he can still play at a high level away from the Shanahan system. Now, he’s heading into a spring where he could potentially test the open market for the first time in his career.
Keep an eye on the official league transactions in March 2026. Unless an extension is signed soon, the answer to what team does Deebo Samuel play for might change once again before the next kickoff. For now, monitor the Commanders' cap space and their early free agency moves to see if they prioritize keeping #1 in the burgundy and gold.
Actionable Next Steps:
To stay ahead of Deebo's 2026 status, track the NFL's "Legal Tampering" period starting in mid-March. If a deal isn't announced by the Commanders before then, he's likely hitting the open market. Check the latest salary cap tables on sites like Spotrac or Over The Cap to see which teams have the $20M+ per year required to land a veteran of his caliber.