Getty
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are facing significant changes at the wide receiver position this offseason.
Brandon Aiyuk has played his final snap in red and gold. Jauan Jennings is set to become a free agent. Ricky Pearsall continues working through injury recoveries. The depth chart needs reinforcements, and general manager John Lynch will have decisions to make in the coming months.
One name that keeps surfacing in those conversations played his first six NFL seasons in San Francisco. Deebo Samuel spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders after the 49ers traded him last offseason. He is scheduled to become a free agent, and the possibility of a reunion has drawn attention around the league.
Christian McCaffrey addressed that possibility this week.
McCaffrey Makes His Feelings Clear on Samuel
Christian McCaffrey appeared on the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams this week and was asked about Deebo Samuel potentially returning to San Francisco.
McCaffrey did not hesitate with his answer.
“We all love Deebo,” McCaffrey said when asked if Samuel would be welcomed back.
The sentiment ran deeper than a simple endorsement. McCaffrey explained that the entire organization, from the coaching staff to the players in the locker room, shares that feeling. Samuel spent six years building relationships in San Francisco, and those connections have not disappeared despite his departure.
McCaffrey called Samuel one of his favorite teammates and emphasized the impact he had on the offense during their time together. The respect was genuine, and the door remains open from a personal standpoint.
Whether that translates into a roster decision is another question entirely.
What Samuel Brought to the 49ers
Deebo Samuel built his reputation in San Francisco on versatility that few receivers could match.
He lined up wide, moved into the backfield, and took handoffs like a running back. The 49ers deployed him in ways that forced defenses to account for multiple threats from a single player.
His best season came in 2021, when he posted over 1,400 receiving yards while adding more than 350 rushing yards. He found the end zone 16 times that year, split evenly between catches and carries.
McCaffrey pointed to Samuel’s physical style as a defining trait. Defenders who tried to bring him down paid a price. Samuel ran through arm tackles, absorbed contact, and kept moving forward. The toughness showed up on every snap.
But 2021 was four years ago. Samuel turned 30 last month. The dual-threat role that made him so effective also subjected his body to more punishment than a typical receiver absorbs. His numbers in Washington this past season reflected the wear. The question facing the 49ers is not whether Samuel was valuable in the past. The question is whether he can still deliver that value moving forward.
Why a Reunion Faces Obstacles
The 49ers are not looking to rebuild what they had. They want to build what comes next.
Shanahan’s system thrives on speed and separation. Receivers who can threaten defenses vertically and create space in the intermediate game give the offense its best chance to operate efficiently. Samuel has never relied on speed to win. His game is built on power, toughness, and the ability to make plays through contact rather than around it.
But that does not mean Samuel cannot contribute. It means he does not solve the specific problems the 49ers face right now. They need younger legs who can stretch the field and take pressure off the running game.
The financial side creates another hurdle. Samuel will command a multiyear deal in free agency despite his age. The 49ers are managing a tight salary cap with extensions due for other core pieces. And committing significant resources to a receiver whose best years might be behind him would limit flexibility elsewhere on the roster.
Final Word for the 49ers
Christian McCaffrey would welcome Deebo Samuel back to San Francisco.
So would the rest of the locker room. The relationships built over six seasons do not disappear because a player changes uniforms. Samuel meant something to that organization, and the respect remains intact.
But respect does not always translate into roster decisions. The 49ers need to get younger and faster at receiver.
McCaffrey’s comments reflect the human side of the NFL. Players want to compete with guys they trust and enjoy being around. Front offices have to balance those relationships with the hard realities of cap space, aging curves, and roster construction.
The 49ers will address the receiver position this offseason. Whether that includes a reunion with Samuel depends on more than just sentiment. It depends on whether Lynch believes Samuel can still be the player McCaffrey remembers.
For now, the door is open. Who walks through it remains to be seen.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
More Heavy on 49ers
Loading more stories
