Deebo Samuel signs one-year 49ers deal worth up to $7M

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel has signed a one-year contract worth up to $7 million to return to the San Francisco 49ers, the team that selected him in the 2019 draft. Officials said the move is designed to provide immediate depth after training camp injuries to wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk.

Samuel’s return comes after he spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders. There, he produced 72 receptions for 727 yards and five touchdowns, numbers that showed steady output even as his overall usage shifted compared with earlier years in San Francisco.

Injuries push the 49ers to add experienced depth

The 49ers entered training camp with injury concerns at wide receiver, and the team’s decision to bring back Samuel adds a veteran option with proven familiarity in their system. Officials said his presence is expected to help stabilize the group as preparations continue for the upcoming NFL season.

The signing directly addresses the short-term challenge of lining up healthy, game-ready targets while also giving coaches flexibility in how they deploy skill players. With Pearsall and Kirk dealing with injuries, Samuel offers an immediate alternative who has already operated within the 49ers’ offensive framework.

Commanders season showed production with less rushing work

While Samuel’s 2025 receiving totals in Washington reflected a meaningful role, his rushing involvement was far smaller than in parts of his previous 49ers tenure. He logged 17 carries during the season, indicating that his impact as a hybrid runner-receiver was more limited than the multi-use role he has been known for in San Francisco.

Even with that reduced rushing workload, Samuel still reached the end zone five times through the air and remained a consistent contributor on offense, providing a statistical foundation for his new deal back in the Bay Area.

Reunion with a former All-Pro and a familiar playbook Samuel returns to the organization where he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021. Across his NFL career, he has totaled 5,519 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns, along with 1,218 rushing yards and 21 rushing scores, underscoring the dual-threat profile that has defined his best seasons.

Officials said the 49ers are counting on that experience and versatility to bolster their receiving corps. His prior comfort with the playbook and coaching environment is expected to support a smoother transition than a typical mid-offseason addition, though his exact usage and workload remain to be seen as camp progresses.

For San Francisco, the move adds another proven option as the team targets competitiveness in the NFC West, with Samuel’s past success highlighting the potential value of a rapid reintegration into the offense.