For a player like Deebo Samuel, goodbyes were never going to be simple. He wasn’t just another player for the 49ers—he was a weapon, a statement, a versatile machine who could bulldoze through defenders one moment and glide past them the next. San Francisco fans had spent years watching him turn short throws into touchdowns and bruising runs into highlight reels. But in the NFL, sentiment rarely stands in the way of business.

Now, the jersey changes. Burgundy and gold replace red and gold. In their latest offseason move, the Niners have traded their WR in a deal with the Commanders. The 29-year-old has packed his bags for Washington, and it’s finally time to leave San Francisco for good. And there, a young quarterback is waiting. Jayden Daniels knows what Deebo brings to the table, and he’s wasting no time making sure his new weapon feels at home. 

The LSU alum and 2024 ROTY is excited to welcome his new teammate to the Commanders squad. ESPN broke the news on their official IG handle only a few hours ago, captioning, “BREAKING: The 49ers have agreed to send WR Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a fifth-round pick, sources tell @adamschefter.” Jayden, giving a warm welcome to Samuel, reposted the ESPN post on his IG story, writing, “Let’s go!!” while tagging the former Niners WR.

And it looks like the bromance has already started between Jayden and Samuel. The WR responded to Jayden’s welcome message with another story captioning, “Let’s get to it, gang!!!” The Commanders’ spirits are already high with acquiring their new WR.

Deebo also posted a farewell video as the headlines of him leaving the Niners broke out. The WR shared a video of his journey with the Niners, which included clips from some of his best moments with the team. The 29-year-old played with the Niners for six seasons, making it to the Super Bowl twice. He couldn’t win either, losing both times to the Chiefs. The South Carolina alum’s 53 rushing yards on just two carries in Super Bowl LIV were the most ever by a WR in Super Bowl history. The 2024 season wasn’t exactly a standout one for the team. Samuel, too, finished with 51 receptions for 670 yards.

But Deebo was a key weapon for the Niners’ offense. Not that his departure will be a major blow to the team’s WR depth. But it will have an impact on the Niners‘ cap space.

Deebo Samuel trade: The financial ripple effect

The Deebo trade by the Niners didn’t just come out of the blue. The WR had been planning it for a while. That’s right, it wasn’t the Niners who wanted to let go of their WR. Deebo had asked for a trade. The WR had discussions with HC Kyle Shanahan after the regular season ended. Once in an interview with ESPN, he shared how it was “hard” having the trade conversation with Kyle “because of the relationship” they had. “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,” Deebo added. 

The 29-year-old had inked a $71.55 million deal with the Niners in 2022. There was still a year left before he could have hit free agency next season. But Deebo and his agent decided to part ways this season instead. “The first 2025 off-season NFL trade: San Francisco has agreed to send standout wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a fifth-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Like any trade agreed to now, it cannot be processed until the new league year begins Wednesday, March 12,” reported Adam Schefter. 

But what does this mean for the Niners? Well, the Commanders will pick up Deebo Samuel’s $17 million plus salary for the coming season. But San Francisco will still have to swallow a massive $31 million dead cap hit. This dead cap money will limit their offseason moves. If the Niners had released Deebo instead of trading him, it would have allowed them to spread the dead cap hit across two seasons. But maybe they chose to take the full hit this year so they can clear their books for 2026. And that could be because of QB Brock Purdy‘s contract extension.

Whatever the case may be, it looks like a move that screams now for Washington and future for San Francisco.