Commanders' free agent Deebo Samuel linked to Super Bowl-winning coach

Deebo Samuel's name is lingering in free agency, and it's at least a bit of a surprise.

He's one of the most talented wide receivers available, and he's coming off a solid campaign in his only season with the Washington Commanders.

Samuel, for the most part, even stayed healthy in 2025, something he hasn't always done.

His signing has to be coming sometime soon, because he's too talented a player to linger forever on the open market.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote in a new article on Friday that he thinks Samuel's best fit is the Denver Broncos, where he'd become a fascinating offensive piece for head coach Sean Payton.

"Samuel is a dream fit for the Broncos' offense, where Bo Nix wants to get the ball out quickly when he has a numbers advantage or throw the ball on digs and deep crossers off play-action," Barnwell writes. "The Broncos have a crowded receiver room with Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr. and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but Samuel would be a rugged addition who offers more physicality than just about anybody in that mix. He could also be a useful runner for coach Sean Payton as a changeup in short yardage or near the goal line, where Nix is often used on sneaks and designed runs."

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Samuel may not be his peak self anymore, but there seems to be enough left in the tank to make him a worthwhile signing, assuming his asking price isn't too high.

"The 30-year-old has issues with fumbles and drops, but he's still a valuable playmaker in the right offensive scheme, where his ability to run away from defenders on crossing routes and run through them on screens would be a valuable addition," Barnwell writes.

A free agency like Samuel's could always linger a little bit. Last offseason, for example, Stefon Diggs took a while to eventually sign with the Patriots, and he still got a solid payday.

But it'd make sense for Samuel to want to get this figured out soon and just get moving forward.

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