The San Francisco 49ers locked up several key veterans to long-term contracts this offseason. On the other side of the equation, many familiar faces were also shown the door, leaving the front office open to potential regrets over their decisions.
One veteran in particular is standing out in his new NFL home this offseason after being traded out of the Bay Area following the 2024 campaign, but it doesn't seem like the Niners are missing him one bit as they set their sights on training camp opening next month.
49ers Won't Miss Veteran WR Deebo Samuel Despite Strong Offseason
San Francisco traded Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which was ultimately used to select former Oregon Ducks standout running back Jordan James.
While it remains to be seen what James will ultimately contribute to San Francisco's success on the field, what his cost to the franchise will be is significantly lower than the $17.5 million salary that Washington will be paying the soon-to-be 30-year-old wide receiver. That alone should make John Lynch and the front office comfortable with their decision, even if Samuel is impressing with the Commanders.
mama there goes that man pic.twitter.com/k5rRGNmEPo
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 12, 2025
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn knows Samuel quite well from his time coaching against the former Niners star and has been happy with what he's seen out of Washington's new weapon on the perimeter.
"Somewhere along the way, I'd forgotten until [he was] out here how fast he is," Quinn said, via Zach Selby. "He was such a difficult person to tackle that you spent so much time, 'How are you going to tackle this person?'"
Even with the lingering injury issues that Brandon Aiyuk is working through, the decision makers in San Francisco feel comfortable with the choice to trade the former South Carolina Gamecocks star. With as much money as the Niners have invested in other areas of the roster, there was no need for a big-money wide receiver with a noted injury history.