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INGLEWOOD, CA – JANUARY 09: San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Deebo Samuel (19) celebrates after a catch during the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams on January 9, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are undoubtedly in the market for a receiver this offseason, after fielding some combination of Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Adam Thielen and Roman Wilson late last campaign.
Mike McCarthy and his team’s decision-makers put an emphasis on meeting with wideouts at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, but the Steelers could give DK Metcalf a running mate via free agency, as well. Deebo Samuel, one unaffiliated pass-catcher, likely won’t return to the Washington Commanders, according to NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry.
After arriving from San Francisco in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, Samuel, 30, paced the Commanders with 72 receptions, 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. Dan Quinn’s team brought Samuel in hoping he’d help them improve after they’d reached the NFC Championship Game the go-round before, but limped to a 5-12 record as star quarterback Jayden Daniels dealt with injuries.
San Francisco 49ers wid receiver Deebo Samuel against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 12, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Samuel led the NFL with 18.2 yards per reception in 2021, the same season he posted career-highs with 77 receptions and 1,405 receiving yards. However, over the last two seasons, Samuel’s been good for only 45.1 receiving yards per game, and his best years could very well be behind him. He has a dotted injury history and ball security issues, as well.
Spotrac tabs Samuel as having the market value for a two-year, $31.5 million deal.
The Steelers have been linked to free-agent wideouts Jauan Jennings, Wan’Dale Robinson and Romeo Doubs this offseason. Jalen Tolbert, who played under Mike McCarthy in Dallas, is also on the open market.
Metcalf led the Steelers with 850 receiving yards and six touchdown catches, while tailback Kenneth Gainwell had a team-high 73 grabs. Other than Metcalf, no Pittsburgh wideout had more than 375 receiving yards.
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