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A fresh start is usually what most players crave when entering NFL free agency. Deebo Samuel did not quite have the same thought process. After his sole year with the Washington Commanders, he is back to catch passes from Brock Purdy. The 30-year-old weapon unveiled why he made such a choice.
Samuel reveals why he re-joined Purdy and the 49ers in NFL free agency
Deebo Samuel is returning to the 49ers on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, including incentives. General manager John Lynch and Coach Kyle Shanahan reached out with this deal after they saw Ricky Pearsall go down with a season-ending PCL injury.
Brock Purdy to Deebo Samuel for the first time since 2024 pic.twitter.com/cEU0utQHw6
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 1, 2026More than the fact that it was a need for the 49ers, deals in the NFL go both ways. For Samuel, he wanted to go back to the offense led by Brock Purdy because of his familiarity with the 49ers organization and the schemes of Coach Shanahan, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
"It kind of felt like I didn't even go nowhere, to be honest. When I got back, I was just like, 'Well, I know what's going on. I know the people here. Staff still the same.' So it's kind of like the same for real. Conversations with me, John, and Kyle have just always kind of been the same. It was just a matter of time before it happened," the 49ers' seven-year veteran said.
In his sole season with the Commanders, Samuel saw his production become more efficient. He had a 53.5% receiving success rate, which was far greater than his 40.7% with the 49ers in 2024. He also got his gains back up to 727 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.
These numbers with the Commanders proved that he is more than capable of making Purdy and the 49ers a lethal offense once again. After all, Samuel had already spent six years with the franchise while getting a Pro Bowl selection and a First-Team All-Pro honor.
If there is anyone who can fill in the gaps left by Pearsall, it is someone who has already exceeded expectations in the same job before. It was just right that the 49ers called Samuel.
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