The Washington Commanders have one game remaining in the 2025 NFL season. As of January 5, the team will be officially looking onto 2026. General Manager Adam Peters will be focused on rebuilding this team into the title competitor they believed they would be heading into this season. Peters would be entering year three of his tenure with the Commanders and could decide to lean into the young core he has assembled. This would mean continuing to build through the draft and potentially moving on from bigger-name players who are older and cost more. This direction would put wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s future up in the air.
Washington acquired Samuel in the offseason heading into 2025 via a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Adam Peters had ties to Samuel in San Francisco, as prior to being hired by the Commanders, he acted as the 49ers’ vice president of player personnel from 2021-23.
GettyDeebo Samuel has a 71.1 overall grade this season (36th of 81 eligible wide receivers) according to Pro Football Focus.
In his short stint with the Commanders, Samuel has exceeded the fifth-round tag he cost. Samuel has acted as the team’s number one target for the majority of the year and has accumulated 707 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Along with his receiving production, Samuel has been used as an option out of the backfield, accumulating an additional 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He has been a versatile piece that has helped open the offense up and put strain on opposing defenses.
However, he is also 29 years old and expected to receive an average salary of $19.85 million per season on a projected three-year contract worth $59.5 million total, according to Spotrac.
With the Commanders already committing an average salary of $29 million to 30-year-old Terry McLaurin, it seems likely that the team would look towards a younger and cheaper opposite outside of him.
Samuel May Not Be the Only Big Name Player on the Move
GettyDaron Payne was selected by Washington at the 13th overall selection in the 2018 NFL draft.
Jayden Daniels wasn’t the only rookie to contribute out of the Commanders’ 2024 rookie class. Defensive tackle Jer’Zhan ‘Johnny’ Newton was the team’s second-round selection and just had his breakout game in Week 17 of the season. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Newton recorded three sacks. Newton was filling in for starter Daron Payne, who’s been dealing with a back injury. Despite playing a backup role for the majority of the season, Newton has now matched Payne’s sack total at five. Newton also has a higher pass rush grade, 68.0, compared to Payne’s 64.4, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Commanders owe Payne around $28 million next season. Moving off of Payne and towards Newton as their starter would provide the team nearly $17 million in cap relief.
GettyLANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 25: Jer’Zhan Newton #95 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after a sack against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarter of a game at Northwest Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
2026 Draft Position Becoming More Clear
With the Commanders’ record currently sitting at 4-12, even if they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 18, the lowest draft spot they’d secure is the seventh overall. The shining light of a poor year is a good draft spot, a top 10 pick. That pick is even more valuable when your team isn’t looking to draft a quarterback.
As of now, Washington has only six draft picks in next year’s draft. Only one of which is in the first two rounds, so they may choose to trade back as well to acquire more.
Regardless, with the offseason right around the corner, Washington’s moves will be pivotal to their ability to retake the NFC East next season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Commanders May Cut Ties With Big Name Wide Receiver appeared first on Heavy Sports.