Deebo Samuel Reveals the Simple Reason He Wanted to Join the Commanders

A New Chapter for Deebo Samuel

After six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, star wide receiver Deebo Samuel was ready for a change. When he requested a trade, he had a list of five preferred destinations, and among them was the Washington Commanders. Earlier this month, the talented playmaker officially landed in Washington in exchange for a fifth-round pick, marking the beginning of a new era in his career.

Chasing a Winning Culture

Despite parting ways with the 49ers, Samuel made it clear that his top priority remained the same—winning. Throughout his tenure in San Francisco, he became accustomed to success, reaching the NFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl in four of his six seasons. Even after a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2024, Samuel’s desire to be part of a championship-caliber team never wavered.

When asked why he chose Washington as one of his top destinations, Samuel kept it simple: “I like winners,” he told ESPN’s John Keim. “I’m not one of your biggest losers. They’ve got a good team for sure, and they were just standing out.”

The Commanders, coming off their first NFC Championship Game appearance in decades, represented the type of organization Samuel wanted to be a part of. Their rise in recent years made them an appealing landing spot for a player hungry to compete at the highest level.

The Jayden Daniels Factor

Another significant reason behind Samuel’s decision was the opportunity to play alongside rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The young signal-caller had a stellar collegiate career, culminating in a Heisman Trophy-winning season before making a strong transition to the NFL.

Samuel’s former 49ers teammate Brandon Aiyuk, who played with Daniels at Arizona State, spoke highly of him. “That’s all B.A. used to talk about—’My boy is about to win the Heisman. My boy is about to do this, my boy’s about to do that,'” Samuel recalled. “He won the Heisman and came to the league and played extremely well. Everything Aiyuk said would happen, happened.”

Seeing Daniels thrive in his rookie season only strengthened Samuel’s interest in joining Washington. “Just to see him grow and see how well he played last year, I was like, man, why not try to come over here and help in any aspect that I can?” he added.

A Fresh Start and New Motivation

While Samuel’s tenure in San Francisco was filled with memorable moments, he is eager to turn the page and contribute to Washington’s offense. In 2024, he posted a modest 806 yards from scrimmage and averaged 3.2 yards per carry, numbers that fell short of his usual production.

Now, with a fresh start and renewed motivation, Samuel is determined to bounce back. He believes the Commanders provide the perfect environment for him to reclaim his elite form and help propel the team to even greater heights.

With a talented young quarterback, a team on the rise, and a chance to compete at the highest level, Samuel’s move to Washington makes perfect sense. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how the dynamic playmaker adapts to his new home and whether he can help turn the Commanders into a true contender.