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Former San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel remains a free agent as training camps begin across the NFL. However, the veteran playmaker still hopes to continue his career in 2026.
Last offseason, Samuel expressed his desire to move on from the 49ers, ultimately leading to a trade to the Commanders. However, his time in Washington lasted only one season, with the team appearing ready to move in a different direction.
The 49ers have also moved on. Despite continued speculation connecting Samuel to a potential return to San Francisco, the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft has reshaped its wide receiver room.
The 49ers revamped their receiving corps this offseason by signing longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans, adding veteran Christian Kirk, and selecting De'Zhaun Stribling in the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping those moves help replace the production lost from Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne—and Brandon Aiyuk.
The team also hopes its younger players—Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins—break out.
So, where does that leave Samuel? Probably not with the 49ers.
One 49ers insider believes Samuel may have been hoping for another opportunity to return to Santa Clara.
"Here's what I know about it," Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area said, via @Coach_Yac on X. "I do think Deebo had an interest in returning to the 49ers and was maybe even a little miffed that the 49ers so quickly signed Mike Evans as a free agent."
A return to the 49ers would have made sense from Samuel's perspective. He enjoyed the best stretch of his career in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system, especially during his breakout 2021 season when he totaled 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns.
Samuel was unable to match that production in Washington last season, finishing with 802 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns.
"I do think Deebo would have liked the opportunity to be back with the 49ers," Maiocco said. "The 49ers moved on without him, and I think he and Kyle Shanahan spoke about that after the fact."
While the 49ers appear to have closed the door on a reunion for now, some of the team's veteran leaders would still welcome Samuel back. Tight end George Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszczyk have both publicly expressed support for a potential return.
Still, with Evans, Kirk, Stribling, and other receivers competing for roles, San Francisco appears unlikely to pursue Samuel unless injuries create a need at the position.
So, Samuel continues to wait.
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