According to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders and Houston Texans have expressed "significant interest" in trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Schultz reports that the 49ers have recently engaged in discussions with both teams and that those talks have been "progressing."
"Other teams, including the Steelers and Broncos, have also checked in, but Houston and Washington are believed to be the most aggressive," Schultz added.
Sources: The #Commanders and #Texans have had significant interest in trading for #49ers WR Deebo Samuel, with talks progressing in recent days, sources tell @NFLonFOX.
Other teams, including the Steelers and Broncos, have also checked in, but Houston and Washington are… pic.twitter.com/JJihz1Soj6
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 28, 2025
Meanwhile, Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reported that the Broncos shouldn't be considered a realistic landing spot for Samuel.
"Indications at the combine have been that the Broncos are not interested in acquiring Samuel, 29, who would command a big contract in a deal," wrote Tomasson.
However, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans appears more open to the idea of adding the veteran receiver.
"Deebo — I've seen him up close. I know he's an impact player," Ryans told Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "Interested? Yeah, but it's always teams can be interested, but how does it look, how does the contract (look), all those things? But definitely interested in him."
Samuel requested a trade during January's exit interviews, and the 49ers have permitted him to explore options.
"He's asked for a fresh start, and I think we're going to honor that," general manager John Lynch said this week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
A trade presents financial challenges for San Francisco. Moving Samuel would force the team to absorb a significant salary-cap hit, making it more costly than simply keeping him for the final year of his contract. A more practical option could be releasing him with a post-June 1 designation—something other NFL teams know well.
Samuel's stock has dipped since his breakout 2021 season, when he totaled 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns. This past season, he managed just 806 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns—his lowest output outside of an injury-shortened 2020 campaign.