Former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel has agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal to rejoin the San Francisco 49ers, a league source confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle. Samuel became a free agent after spending one season with the Washington Commanders, who traded a 2025 fifth-round pick for him in March 2024.

Rebuilding Wide Receiver Depth

The 49ers made the move quickly due to uncertainty about the status of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who is dealing with swelling in his right knee. A team official said the issue is related to a posterior cruciate ligament injury Pearsall suffered last season — the 49ers are considering all options, including surgery, which could force him to miss the entire 2026 season. SFGATE reported that insider Matt Maiocco suggested Pearsall might miss the entire season.

Samuel, who played six years with the 49ers before being traded, tallied 72 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns in his lone season with Washington. He was drafted in the second round in 2019 and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 with 1,770 total yards and 12 touchdowns. However, his final season in San Francisco in 2024 was less successful, with career lows in receiving yards per game and yards per touch and only four touchdowns.

Team Dynamics and Motivation

Samuel confirmed the deal via Instagram, writing that he’s “Baxxkkkkk” with the 49ers. According to SFGATE, the timing of his return aligns with the 49ers’ need for a flexible receiver after losing Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings to other teams. The 49ers have also signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to back their receiving corps, but Football-aktuell noted that key team leaders like George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk had publicly supported Samuel’s return.

“It was like a rollercoaster,” he said; “I’ve been through a lot, not just on the field.” Samuel, now 30, has expressed confidence in his future in the NFL; In an interview on his YouTube channel, he said he still sees at least three to four more strong seasons ahead.

Previous Success and Cultural Impact

Samuel’s versatility as a receiver and runner made him a key part of the 49ers’ offense under head coach Kyle Shanahan; In 2021, he recorded 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards, and 14 touchdowns, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. He was traded after a 2024 season that saw him score just four touchdowns, the fewest since his injury-plagued 2020 season.

Samuel also made headlines for his fashion choices on the field. In a 2022 game against the Los Angeles Rams, he wore a special edition of the “Air Dior” Jordan 1 shoes, a collaboration between Jordan Brand and Dior. The shoes featured a white and gray design with Dior’s oblique pattern on the side and were modified with spikes for the field, but that day, Samuel scored a touchdown, and the 49ers won 24–9.

With Pearsall’s status uncertain, Samuel’s return could provide the 49ers with the flexibility and production they need at wide receiver; his performance in 2025 with the Commanders—72 receptions, 727 yards, and five touchdowns,suggests he can still contribute at a high level if given the opportunity.