Veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel signed a one-year contract worth up to $7 million with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, bringing a much-needed boost to the team's receiving corps.
The 49ers needed to bolster their receiver position due to injuries, with Ricky Pearsall currently dealing with knee swelling and Christian Kirk nursing a calf injury from the team's first practice.
The addition of Samuel, who was traded to the Washington Commanders during the 2025 offseason but is now back in San Francisco, is expected to provide a spark to the team's offense. Samuel recorded 72 receptions for 727 yards with five touchdowns along with 75 rushing yards and one score in his previous stint with the 49ers.
"I'm so fired up," said Christian McCaffrey, a teammate of Samuel's at the 49ers. "Deebo, he has such a presence on the field. When he's in the game, you have to account for him in so many different ways."
Mike Evans, another 49ers receiver, echoed McCaffrey's sentiments, praising Samuel's energy and versatility. "I love the way he plays the game," Evans said. "I think he's going to bring what he brought before to the team. That energy, that versatility. Hell of a pickup for us."
Samuel's skill set is a good contrast to what Evans brings, with the former able to excel on mesh routes and underneath patterns. With Samuel's 12 games of playoff experience and presence as a locker room leader, the 49ers are looking to get back to the Super Bowl after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII during the 2023 season.
Samuel's return to the 49ers is a significant development, especially given the team's recent struggles on the field. The 49ers are looking to make a deep playoff run this season, and Samuel's addition could prove to be a major factor in their success.
The 49ers will look to get Samuel involved in the passing game and running game alike, utilizing his skills in a similar manner to how they were used in the past. With Samuel back in the fold, the 49ers are looking to get back to their winning ways and make a push for the Super Bowl.
This development comes as the 49ers are preparing to face a tough schedule in the coming weeks, with several key matchups against playoff contenders. The addition of Samuel will undoubtedly give the team a boost of confidence, and it will be interesting to see how he fits into the team's plans moving forward.
Source: Yahoo Sports