The Commanders' Big Move: A Closer Look at the Deebo Samuel Deal

The Washington Commanders have made a splash in the NFL trade market, acquiring wide receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. This move comes just a week before the start of free agency, and it's a big deal for the Commanders. They traded a fifth-round pick to secure Samuel, who has had a notable career. Samuel's career stats are impressive. He has racked up 334 receptions for 4, 792 yards and 22 touchdowns as a receiver. He's also shown versatility as a runner, with 202 carries for 1, 143 yards and 20 touchdowns. His best season was in 2021, where he had 77 catches for 1, 405 yards and 6 touchdowns as a receiver, and 365 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground. That year, he was named First-Team All-Pro. However, Samuel's performance has declined in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, his receiving numbers dropped significantly, and in 2024, he had his worst season yet. He only managed 670 receiving yards and a yards per carry average of 3. 2. He also had a few off-field incidents, including an altercation with a teammate after a missed field goal. The Commanders are paying Samuel $17. 5 million this season, which is a significant investment. While Samuel is still a better receiver than some of the Commanders' current options, the team is spending a lot of money on a player who has shown decline in recent years. The Commanders have plenty of cap space, but this move doesn't seem like the best use of their resources. They are an ascending team, and this investment in a declining player doesn't seem like the best strategy. Meanwhile, the New York Giants have been trying to bring in a veteran quarterback. Their initial target was Matthew Stafford, but he ultimately re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams. The Giants are reportedly now turning their attention to other veteran quarterbacks, but it's not clear if any of them will be a good fit for the team. The Giants' decision to pursue veteran quarterbacks is a bit puzzling. They have a young team and should be focusing on long-term growth. Instead, they seem to be prioritizing short-term wins to save their jobs. This isn't the best strategy for a team that's still building. The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, have been quiet so far this offseason. They didn't speak with reporters at the 2025 NFL Combine, and they've already lost a key player with the retirement of Zack Martin. It's not the best start to the offseason for the Cowboys. The NFL offseason is always an exciting time, with trades, free agency, and draft picks. The Commanders' move for Samuel is a big one, but it's not clear if it's the best use of their resources. The Giants' pursuit of veteran quarterbacks is a bit puzzling, and the Cowboys' quiet offseason is a bit concerning. It's going to be an interesting offseason for sure.