Deebo Samuel has reached an agreement to rejoin the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract worth $7 million. The 30-year-old receiver spent his first six years with the organization after being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. During his initial tenure with San Francisco, Samuel established himself as a multifaceted offensive contributor, highlighted by a 2021 season in which he recorded 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition. He was instrumental in helping the 49ers reach two NFC Championship games.
Most recently, Samuel spent the previous season with the Washington Commanders, where he caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. That marked his highest reception total since his Pro Bowl year.
The 49ers move comes as the team addresses depth concerns at the wide receiver position. Ricky Pearsall, selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, continues to recover from a PCL injury sustained the prior year and has appeared in only 20 of a possible 32 regular-season games since joining the team. Additionally, Christian Kirk, acquired earlier in the offseason, sustained a calf injury on the opening day of training camp. These absences have left Mike Evans and second-round rookie De’Zhaun Stribling as the primary receiving options, with veteran Demarcus Robinson available as additional depth.
Samuel is expected to operate from the Z receiver position, where he previously thrived during his first stint with San Francisco. While his role may differ from his earlier years with the team, his performance last season demonstrated his continued effectiveness as a yards-after-catch threat. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has also utilized Samuel in backfield formations throughout his career.
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