Samuel, 30, is coming off a 2025 season in which he tallied 72 catches on 99 targets for 727 yards and five touchdowns.
He might be in a tough spot as an aging receiver, who maybe lost a step, but what does fare well for him are his consistent numbers. He has caught at least 50 passes for at least 600 yards in the previous five consecutive seasons.
Samuel doesn’t seem stressed about his NFL future. He has optimal faith that he’ll land somewhere. He took to social media to express his thoughts.
He posted a series black and white photos to his Instagram on July 16, seemingly having just finished a workout. In the caption, Samuel said. “Let the chips fall where they may.”
His post drew hundreds of comments including fans, fellow NFL players and former teammates. The majority of fans in the comments were San Francisco 49ers fans, pleading him to return to the Bay Area.
Notable comments came from former 49er teammates Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle, which could be deciphered as recruitment pitches.
“I have a guest house with your name on it,” Juszczyk commented under Samuel’s post. His comment received 2,967 likes.
Kittle, too, reached out under Samuel’s post, replying to Juszczyk’s comment.
“I also have a guest house labeled “Deebo’s second home,” Kittle said in a comment mentioning Juszczyk on Samuel’s Instagram post.
Samuel was drafted by the 49ers, out of South Carolina, in the second round with the 36th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons in San Francisco, helping them to Super Bowl appearances in 2020 and 2024.
With the 49ers, Samuel compiled 334 catches for 4,792 yards and 22 touchdowns in six seasons in San Francisco. His was a dynamic component to the 49er offense under Kyle Shanahan sometimes lining up in the backfield and taking hand offs and pitches. As a runner, Samuel tallied 202 carries for 1,143 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.
With Samuel being a free agent, a reunion in San Francisco isn’t completely out of the cards.