The 49rs had a disastrous performance this year. Their star receiver, Deebo Samuel, was so affected by the losses that he requested a trade out. Kyle Shanahan didn’t want this. But the WR had always given his all on the field for them. So, the GM John Lynch agreed to give him the option to explore a trade. According to the latest updates, the WR is on his way out of the Niners Empire.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Deebo Samuel is going to the Commanders where he will join QB Jayden Daniels. Another insider, Adam Schefter, claimed that the Commanders have agreed to take on his remaining contract and pay his full $17.55 million salary for the 2025 season. This also brings financial relief to the 49ers, as Deebo Samuel was due $21.7 million this year. However, San Francisco will still take a dead cap hit of nearly $31 million for 2025.

The writing was on the wall for Deebo Samuel long before the trade. The 49ers had already started preparing for life without him last offseason when they used their No. 31 pick on Ricky Pearsall. Then came the contract moves—Brandon Aiyuk locked in on a four-year, $120 million extension, and Jauan Jennings secured a two-year, $15.39 million deal. Now, the transition is complete. Samuel is heading to Washington.

Given they’re taking care of the financial side, the Commanders are only sending across a 5th round pick in the upcoming draft to the 49ers in return. For a veteran like Deebo Samuel, this move might reignite some passion and a fire to repay the faith that Washington is putting in him. Dan Quinn coached the Commanders to a surprise Conference Championship game appearance in their first season, and is adding firepower in the hopes of going a step or two further in 2025.

Commanders GM, Adam Peters, is the mastermind behind this move. He was the 49ers Vice president of player personnel when Deebo Samuel was drafted. He also served as their Assistant GM from 2021 to 2023 but moved to Commanders in 2024.

One of Samuel’s teammates seemed to all but confirm the news while wishing him well. TE George Kittle shared an Instagram story for Deebo Samuel and wrote, “My brother! go be great!” Amid these developments, analyst Field Yates also dropped another piece of information. He claimed that the 5th round pick was acquired in Marshon Lattimore’s trade from NO Saints. So, the net deal has been the CB and the WR for a 2025 3rd, 4th and 6th rounder. Depending on how Lattimore does in 2025 (he was far from great in 2024) and whether Deebo finds the fire in his belly, it could potentially be one to remember for the ages.

Speaking of which, there are rumors that even the other 49ers star WR Brandon Aiyuk could reunite with Jayden Daniels at the Commanders. Now that would be wild!

Brandon Aiyuk could follow Deebo Samuel to the Commanders

Last year, the 49ers WR rocked the football fans with a video face timing Jayden Daniels while his contract drama raged on. But the Niners signed an extension. This year, after sending Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, GM John Lynch opened the trade door for Aiyuk as well.

The two have been close friends since 2019 when they shared the locker room at Arizona State. In his rookie college year, Daniels helped Aiyuk get 65 receptions for 1,192 receiving yards with 8 TDs. Their bond has been strong since then. They often hang out in the offseason.

An ACL injury in the week 7 game against the Chiefs cut Aiyuk’s 2024 season short. That may be a reason the Niners want to move on and free up cap space for other prospects. On the 3rd day of the combine, Lynch said, “Yeah, that typically happens with really good players. I remember, I think two years ago, having similar conversations. You get calls, and you always listen to calls.” It’s clear.

If they get a wonderful offer (like they did with Deebo), the 49ers could trade him as well. That could be an even bigger shock to their fanbase. Kyle Shanahan wants to take the team into the playoffs. Will their game plan work? It might be!