The Niners and Deebo Samuel‘s saga has come to an end. After six seasons with San Francisco, Deebo is ready to say a bittersweet goodbye to the team. Last season, the Niners were the absolute opposite of what they were the year before. From taking it to OT in the Super Bowl to the bottom of the NFC West, their downfall was a nightmare to watch. So, as the team looks for a road to redemption this offseason, their first big move is a trade with the Commanders.

Deebo Samuel is no longer a Niner. He has packed his bags for Washington. And the WR said his last goodbye to the team with an emotional post on IG. On Saturday, Deebo posted a video on IG featuring some of his best moments with San Francisco – so many memories trying to fit into a short video. “Appreciate y’all for everything!!!!!,” captioned Deebo. The clip started with Deebo’s reaction after getting drafted in 2019, the Niners winning the NFC title, some of his best plays, and more. His teammates couldn’t help but send in their love and best wishes for their now former teammate. “Go be great, brudda! All love this way ❤️,” commented fellow WR Ricky Pearsall.

The South Carolina alum was the Niners’ second draft pick in 2019. In his first year with the team, Deebo made it to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Chiefs. Samuel recorded five receptions for 39 yards and also rushed twice for 53 yards in that game. Reacting to Deebo’s farewell post, TE George Kittle had a heartfelt message for his former teammate. Kittle reposted the post on his story, writing, “My brother! Go be great!” RB Christian McCaffrey also shared Deebo’s post on his story, adding, “Been an honor.“

Kyle Juszczyk‘s wife, Kristin, also chimed in with a farewell note to Samuel. “We’re always team Deebo in this house!” she wrote in the WR’s comment section. 

Well, the parting notes are pretty emotional, but that’s how this league has always been.

Washington’s new weapon: Deebo Samuel

Deebo’s contract had one more year left with the Niners, but the WR asked for a trade option after the regular season ended. The WR wanted to find a new team for himself. In an interview with ESPN, Deebo shared, “It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle because of the relationship that we have. But I have to do what’s best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, but now I think it’s best that we find another team.“

Samuel’s departure won’t have much impact on the team’s WR depth. The team last year only inked an extension with Brandon Aiyuk. They also have Ricky Pearsall. The Niners gave the Commanders Deebo in return for a fifth-round pick. While this may seem uneven, it has to do with the fact that the Commanders will foot the entirety of Samuel’s wage bills, saving the Niners $21.7 million. The WR will now pair with another veteran, Terry McLaurin, in the Commanders’ squad. Deebo, who has been part of two Super Bowl runs, will have a thing or two to teach the team about making it to the big games.

Although the Commanders did play some big games this season, reaching the conference championship game with rookie Jayden Daniels, they still have room to grow. In 2024, Deebo recorded 51 receptions, racking up 670 yards. So both the Niners and Commanders have played their first big move of the offseason. They have a lot more contracts, trades, and picks to work on. But for now, we’re just excited to see how Deebo will fit into the Commanders’ squad and how his experience helps Jayden and the O-line.