Wide receiver Deebo Samuel called his departure from San Francisco «bittersweet» but said Washington was always one of his preferred destinations after requesting a trade from the 49ers in part because of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Samuel, in a 2,136-word essay for The Players' Tribune, reflected on his six seasons with San Francisco and termed his relationship with coach Kyle Shanahan «ridiculous» while also looking forward and saying, «D.C., we coming.»
«I got a feeling this season is about to be one of them ones,» Samuel wrote.
Samuel said he appreciates where the 49ers sent him and that there's «not a lick of bad blood when it comes to me and that organization. It's always love.»
Washington traded a fifth-round pick for Samuel on Saturday; the trade will be official once the new league year begins March 12. Samuel has one year remaining on his contract.
He asked Shanahan for a trade in a meeting with him after the season, saying he told the coach he didn't think he knew how hard it was for him to have this conversation. ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news on Super Bowl Sunday.
Samuel, a second-round pick in 2019, became a dangerous offensive weapon for San Francisco, capable of big plays as a running back as well. He finished his time in San Francisco with 4,792 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns while running for another 1,143 yards and 20 scores. In his All-Pro season of 2021, Samuel finished with 1,770 yards and 14 touchdowns from scrimmage.
But after a frustrating season in which he finished with 806 yards from scrimmage — his lowest total since his second year when he played in only seven games — Samuel wanted out.
«After I talked with Kyle, I talked to [GM] John [Lynch], and he understood where I was coming
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