The Washington Commanders couldn’t be getting Swiss Army Knife Deebo Samuel at a better time.
Samuel wants to get paid. And if Samuel wants to get paid, he’s going to have to give the Commanders the best he has left in his battered body, because this is the last year of the three-year, $72 million deal he signed with San Francisco in 2022.
That was the last time Samuel wanted to get paid — when he caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards, averaging a league-leading 18.2 yards per catch, plus carrying the ball 59 times for 365 yards in the final season of his rookie contract and looking to get paid.
That was Samuel at his best.
He hasn’t approached those numbers since, plagued by injuries, lack of opportunities or being out of shape, depending on who you believe.
Washington general manager Adam Peters, who was in San Francisco when Samuel was selected by the 49ers in the second round of the 2019 draft, knows the player as well as anyone and knows what he at his best is capable of.
Samuel is certainly aware of the possibilities of playing with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“I think this is one of the best possible fits for me, where I can go in and help a team,” he wrote in the Players’ Tribune. “Honestly, when my agent asked me where I wanted to go, this was one of the teams at the top of my list. “
If it is Samuel at his best, the 29-year-old might be the best pocket change the franchise has spent in quite some time.
Because Samuel, at his best, will only grant additional superpowers to Daniels — particularly if you picture how offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could use Samuel.
The Commanders need to upgrade Daniels’ offensive weapons, and Samuel is a big step in that direction. They still need more, though — a running back and another true No. 2 receiver.
Turns out there is a shopping cart out there full of wide receivers for the taking with NFL cuts coming daily — Davante Adams and Tyler Lockett among them — plus the disgruntled D.K. Metcalf looking to get out of Seattle.
But it may seem a little unnerving for so much talk about offensive needs when Washington’s defense needs so much help. And did I forget to mention better protection for the superhero?
And don’t forget the mission to make sure that the prized pass rusher from Cleveland who wants to be traded, Myles Garrett, doesn’t wind up with the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
When you take a step back and see all the Commanders really need, it is still remarkable that they actually won 12 games last season and reached the NFC championship game. But they barely won many of those games and did so against a weaker schedule than they’ll have for 2025. They will have to be stronger.
A Deebo Samuel who wants to get paid makes them stronger.
There’s no data that supports the notion that players produce better when they are in line for a big payday. But there is no shortage of anecdotal evidence. Heck, the 2024 Commanders were a team full of players looking to get paid – 28 unrestricted free agents this year.
Washington fans have firsthand knowledge of contract year performance. Daron Payne was playing for his financial future in 2022 when he set career highs in numerous categories — including 11.5 sacks — and made his first Pro Bowl. He signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension.
Payne, drafted by Washington in 2018, hasn’t come close to those numbers since.
But Washington won’t be on a multi-year hook with Samuel. He is a hired gun, here today and, if need be, gone tomorrow, with maybe a season of excellent numbers to cash in on and a fond memory of success for Washington Commanders fans.
After all, it’s a contract year.
• You can hear Thom Loverro on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast.
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• Thom Loverro can be reached at tloverro@washingtontimes.com.
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