Feb. 5, 2026, 4:47 a.m. ET
One of the Washington Commanders‘ biggest decisions to make this offseason is whether or not to keep Deebo Samuel. He is one of the many impending free agents currently rostered in Washington, and like many of the Commanders‘ other free agents, his age is going to impact his contract.
The Commanders desperately need more talent for Jayden Daniels to pass the ball to. Terry McLaurin is fantastic, but he’s aging and can’t do it alone. Samuel was effective in 2025, even when teamed with Marcus Mariota. Samuel led the Commanders in receiving despite all the injuries around him. McLaurin missed half the season, Daniels missed 10 games, and Washington often had to call up receivers from the practice squad to play opposite Samuel.
Samuel also has to ask himself whether this is where he will be happiest in 2026. Pro Football Focus has a different outlook, citing the Miami Dolphins as the ideal landing spot for the veteran wideout.
WR Deebo SamuelIdeal fantasy landing spot: Miami Dolphins
If Samuel isn’t returning to Washington, the Dolphins would make for a great destination for Samuel. The team is expected to release Tyreek Hill. Jaylen Waddle was the only Miami wide receiver to achieve at least 325 receiving yards last season, so there is room for significant targets for Samuel.
Miami promoted Bobby Slowik as its offensive coordinator this offseason. Slowik was the 49ers’ pass game specialist in 2021, which was Samuel’s one year as an All-Pro player. He caught 77 passes for 1405 yards that season and had 14 total offensive touchdowns that season. Miami would be the best place for Samuel to revitalize his career.
Looking at the Dolphins’ depth chart and list of upcoming free agents, and considering their quarterback situation, it’s hard to say if Samuel would want to expose himself to another daunting season. Even with his connection to new Miami offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, as a veteran receiver, he will want to go to a more competitive team.
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While with the San Francisco 49ers, Samuel made four postseason appearances. His team lost twice in the conference championship, and the other two losses were in Super Bowl games. He knows what that feels like, he knows what it takes to get there, and he would love to hoist the Lombardi Trophy before he retires. The likelihood he could do that in Miami is slim, but, hey, maybe he just wants to go somewhere sunny after seven seasons in cold climate regions.