The Jacksonville Jaguars need to upgrade their wide receiver corps this offseason, but it looks like they're ruling out one potential to do so.
Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that the Washington Commanders and the Houston Texans have expressed significant interest in trading for Deebo Samuel, noting that both teams have engaged in talks with the San Francisco 49ers in recent days.
Schultz adds that the Denver Broncos and the Pittsburgh Steelers have also done due diligence, but the frontrunners to get a deal done are currently the Commanders and the Texans.
Sources: The #Commanders and #Texans have had significant interest in trading for #49ers WR Deebo Samuel, with talks progressing in recent days, sources tell @NFLonFOX.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 28, 2025
Other teams, including the Steelers and Broncos, have also checked in, but Houston and Washington are… pic.twitter.com/JJihz1Soj6
Samuel requested a trade and the Niners granted it to him. Back in 2021, he earned an All-Pro designation after totaling over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and reaching the end zone 21 times. However, he hasn't been nearly as productive the past three years. Add the fact that the former South Carolina Gamecock was reportedly 20 pounds overweight last season, and it's easy to see why San Francisco is willing to move on from him.
The Jags haven't been directly linked to Samuel this offseason, but he would be a potential option to bolster their wide receiver corps. While they have a keeper in Brian Thomas Jr., they need someone else on the opposite side of the field to prevent opposing defenses from double-teaming the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist.
Related story: Updated cap space and draft picks for the Jaguars in 2025
Why it makes sense for the Jaguars to steer clear from Deebo Samuel
The Jacksonville Jaguars gave Gabe Davis a three-year deal worth $39 million last offseason. He was underwhelming when he was on the field, and a knee injury ultimately cut his first campaign in Duval short. On top of that, Christian Kirk has been the subject of trade speculation. Hence the need to bolster the wide receiver unit.
The San Francisco 49ers may want to trade Deebo Samuel before March 22 to avoid paying him a $15 million bonus. However, it would leave $31 million in dead money. The alternative is to wait until June 1st and split the cap hit in 2024 and next year, but teams will have addressed the wide receiver position by then. That's why they're probably willing to eat up such a significant amount of dead money.
The club that trades for Samuel would be on the hook for his 2025 salary of $17 million. The Jaguars aren't probably inclined to commit that amount of money to a player who's one of the best at his position he's 100 percent but has left a bit desired the past three years. It's also worth noting that restructuring Kirk's contract is quickly becoming a realistic possibility to keep him next season.
Ultimately, the Jacksonville Jaguars were never a realistic destination for Deebo Samuel. Based on the latest scoop, it looks even more unlikely now.