Former 49ers and Commanders star makes retirement decision and admits free agency has been ‘tough’

Jul 22, 2026 - 22:15

With training camps having started to begin around the NFL, players are getting ready for the 2026 campaign to begin.

But some veterans are yet to find a home, including Deebo Samuel.

Deebo Samuel is one of a number of veteran free agents who is still on the market

The 30-year-old wide receiver still finds himself on the free agent market after his renegotiated one-year deal with the Washington Commanders expired in March.

In the 2025 campaign – his first and seemingly last in Washington – he recorded 72 receptions for 727 yards and five receiving touchdowns to go with one rushing score.

But he looked far removed from the dynamic disruptor who instilled fear in opponents’ defense when a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

Prior to that, he spent the first six years of his pro football career donning the red, white, and gold uniform of the Niners, where he amassed 4,792 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns from 334 targets.

A dual threat with his explosive acceleration and ability to play through contract, Samuel tallied an additional 1,143 rushing yards and 20 scores during his time in the Bay Area.

In a behind-the-scenes look at his life away from the football field on his YouTube channel, the 2021 Pro Bowler revealed that he has found his extended time as a free agent “tough.”

“Going on Year 8 … [I] still feel like I got a lot, at least like three, four good years left,” he said. “It’s kind of been tough, not even going to lie to you.

“All the free agency stuff going on, waking up in the morning, looking at your phone, seeing if your agent hit you and was like, ‘This team is interested,’ or things along those lines. And it’s been kind of like a roller coaster.

“[I’ve] been through a lot, not just ball. With me and how I play this game, it’s just like, no matter what I’m going through, no matter what I’m doing, if I’m able to perform, I’m going to go out there and put it on the line for my team.”

There have even been questions of him retiring at the age of 30.

Samuel was one-and-done with the Commanders after a down year

Samuel's former All-Pro teammates have called for him to return to the 49ers — Samuel’s former All-Pro teammates have called for him to return to the 49ers

“Some people ask like, “Are you ready to hang it up?” And I’m like, ‘Nah, everything’s got timing,’” he added.

“I promise you when the time come, it’s going to come. And I’m overly prepared, overly ready for the moment.

“And whenever that right opportunity show up, we here first, man, and ready to rock out.”

Deebo fires back at Emmanuel Acho

Amid questions about the possibility of retirement, Samuel remains confident that he has far more left in the tank to give to a team, should one express their interest in his services.

There had been reports floating around that his former Niners teammates wanted him to reunite with the 49ers, though this prompted ex-NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho to argue against this move.

In an episode of Speakeasy, Acho questioned Samuel’s potential fit on the team which has bolstered their receiving corps over the off-season with the addition of six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.

A picture of Emmanuel Acho speaks onstage during — Acho’s comments about Deebo Samuel being a ‘glorified mascot’ did not go down well

“When you construct the roster, Deebo would now be the third receiver in San Fran. Probably the third. That third receiver has to play special teams,” Acho said.

“You want to know who’s not playing special teams nor should? Deebo Samuel. I’m also not gonna stunt the growth of first-round pick, third-year player, Ricky Pearsall for Deebo Samuel.

“Is Deebo talented? Duh, but he’s had probably more 700-yard seasons than he’s had 1,000-yard seasons.”

Acho also proceeded to say, “I’m not gonna pay a glorified mascot top-tier money…If you’re a hype man, I’m not paying you to be a hype man. I’m paying you to get 1,400 yards.”

This ultimately riled up the ex-Commander, who hit back on social media.

“Glorified mascot Who is bruh Who gave him a voice You play 3 years gang 3 different teams Ain’t coming at you but stop trying me bruh @EmmanuelAcho,” Samuel posted to X on Tuesday.

Acho did recant, and issued an apology to Samuel on Wednesday and said, “Deebo, that’s on me. I apologize. That’s on me.

“Every now and then, when you give a lot of takes, you’re gonna give a take that you don’t even realize crosses the line. It was just mean. I don’t like being mean.”

For now, though, Samuel’s future remains up in the air as he waits to see whether any of the 31 other NFL teams will take a gamble on him.

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