49ers Unlikely to Reunite with Aging 'Wide Back' Deebo Samuel

George Kittle's comments spark speculation, but 49ers should look to younger, faster options at wide receiver

Feb. 23, 2026 at 10:04pm by Ben Kaplan

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A year after trading Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has fueled speculation that the team could bring back the former All-Pro wide receiver. However, the 49ers are better off passing on a reunion with the 30-year-old Samuel, whose production has declined in recent seasons.

Why it matters

The 49ers have an aging core of skill position players, and they need to get younger and faster at wide receiver. Bringing back Samuel, who has shown signs of decline, would not address those needs and could be a costly mistake for the team.

The details

In 2021, Samuel had a breakout season, leading the NFL in yards per catch and yards from scrimmage. However, his production has declined in the past two seasons, with career-lows in yards per catch and yards after catch per reception. He has also seen a drop-off in broken tackles, averaging just one per 12 receptions compared to one per 5.7 receptions earlier in his career.

  • In 2020, the 49ers gave tight end George Kittle a five-year contract extension.
  • In 2021, the 49ers gave linebacker Fred Warner a five-year extension.
  • In 2022, the 49ers gave Deebo Samuel a three-year extension.
  • In 2025, Samuel had 72 catches for 727 yards and 5 touchdowns in 16 games with the Commanders.

The players

Deebo Samuel

A wide receiver who was traded from the 49ers to the Washington Commanders in 2025 after requesting a trade. Samuel, 30, has seen a decline in his production in recent seasons.

George Kittle

The 49ers' All-Pro tight end who has fueled speculation that the team could bring back Deebo Samuel.

Christian McCaffrey

The 49ers' running back who praised Samuel's physical playing style, saying he is an "enforcer on offense" who will "run through your face."

Jauan Jennings

A 28-year-old wide receiver for the 49ers who is possibly poised to leave in free agency.

Brandon Aiyuk

A 49ers wide receiver who missed the entire 2025 season due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“I love Deebo. That's all. I love Deebo.”

— George Kittle (Sports Illustrated Now)

“When the ball is in his hands, you can see a lot of times the fear in defenses. … He's an enforcer on offense. He'll run through your face.”

— Christian McCaffrey (Up and Adams podcast)

What’s next

The 49ers will likely be in the wide receiver market when free agency's legal tampering period begins on March 9, but they should focus on younger, faster options like the Colts' Alec Pierce and the Giants' Wan'Dale Robinson rather than pursuing a reunion with the 30-year-old Deebo Samuel.

The takeaway

The 49ers are better off moving on from Deebo Samuel and investing in younger, faster wide receivers to complement their aging core of skill position players. Samuel's declining production and physical playing style make him a risky investment, and the 49ers should look to the free agent market and the draft to address their needs at the position.