Deebo: 'Nothing but love' for 49ers despite trade to Commanders
Deebo Samuel said he isn't holding any grudges after the San Francisco 49ers traded him to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick.
"(The) 49ers know where I stand with them, and it's nothing but love," the wide receiver wrote Monday on X. "Love John (Lynch) and Kyle (Shanahan) to death. No bad blood, (in) no way, shape, or form. They know I'm more than appreciative of everything they (have) done for me as a player and a man. Nothing but love."
The 49ers - who shopped Samuel during the 2024 offseason - agreed to trade the 29-year-old to the Commanders on Saturday, but the reported deal won't become official until the start of the new league year.
The move will result in nearly $31 million in dead money for San Francisco. Washington will reportedly take on the remainder of the wideout's contract, which expires at the end of the 2025 season.
Tim Kawakami of The Francisco Standard recently reported that Samuel was 20 pounds overweight during the 2024 campaign. The veteran also complained about his workload during the Niners' disappointing 6-11 season. Samuel reacted to that report on social media Monday, stating he weighed 225 pounds last year.
"Can't wait until this season starts," he added.
Samuel earned a first-team All-Pro berth in 2021 after recording 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns in 16 appearances. However, he's mostly struggled to stay healthy since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2019.
He finished 2024 with 670 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 51 catches while also carrying the ball 42 times for 136 yards and one TD in 15 appearances. His 806 scrimmage yards marked his lowest total in a season when he's played at least 10 games.
Samuel also helped San Francisco make two Super Bowl appearances, but the team fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs on both occasions.