Deebo Samuel has signed a one-year contract worth $7 million to return to the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced Thursday evening. Samuel, who spent the first six years of his NFL career with the 49ers, rejoins the franchise after a season with the Washington Commanders.
News of Samuel's return elicited immediate reactions from current and former teammates, as well as fans, across social media platforms. Dre Greenlaw, a teammate drafted by the 49ers in the same year as Samuel, shared his excitement on Instagram, posting "Killa!!" His post comes as Greenlaw also returns to the 49ers after a season with the Denver Broncos.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk also expressed his enthusiasm on Instagram, stating, "The squad is back!" Social media accounts dedicated to the 49ers shared highlight reels of Samuel's past performances against rivals, including clips featuring commentary from former opponents like Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald.
During his previous tenure with the 49ers, Samuel was a versatile offensive weapon, splitting time between wide receiver and running back. In 2021, he was named an All-Pro after recording 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and 6 touchdowns as a receiver, alongside 51 carries for 365 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns as a runner. He helped the team reach the Super Bowl twice, in 2020 and 2024, though both appearances resulted in losses to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Samuel's return comes amidst other roster developments for the 49ers' wide receiver corps. The team is reportedly concerned that third-year receiver Ricky Pearsall may miss the entire 2026 season due to a PCL injury sustained last season. The wide receiver room is led by veteran Mike Evans, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal this offseason, and also includes rookie De’Zhaun Stribling.
The team has also faced challenges in its running back depth, with Jordan James expected to miss time due to a broken rib. The 49ers hosted three running backs for private workouts on Thursday.