Despite still being a free agent as teams begin to report to training camp, wide receiver Deebo Samuel is looking forward to playing in 2026.
"Going on Year 8. ... Still feel like I got a lot, at least like three, four good years left," Samuel said in a video released on his YouTube channel. "It's kind of been tough, not even gonna lie to you.
"All the free agency stuff going on, waking up in the morning, looking at your phone, seeing if your agent hit you and was like, 'This team (is) interested,' or things along those lines. And it's been kind of like a roller coaster."
Samuel is one of several notable free-agent wideouts still available, including Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyreek Hill, and Keenan Allen.
The 30-year-old spent last season with the Washington Commanders after being traded from the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick in March 2025. He led Washington in targets (99), receptions (72), receiving yards (727), and receiving touchdowns (five). However, the club didn't re-sign him when his contract expired this offseason.
Samuel spent six years with the 49ers after being selected in the second round of the 2019 draft out of South Carolina. San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan utilized Samuel all over the team's offense, including as a consistent rushing threat. He leads all wideouts in carries since entering the league, according to TruMedia. His best season came in 2023, when he earned a first-team All-Pro nomination after posting 1,770 total yards and 14 touchdowns.
"Some people ask like, 'Are you ready to hang it up?' And I'm like, 'Nah, everything's got timing,'" Samuel added. "So, I promise you when the time come, it's gonna come. And I'm overly prepared, overly ready for the moment. And whenever that right opportunity show up, we here first, man. I'm ready to rock out."
Samuel has recorded 6,737 yards from scrimmage and 48 total touchdowns in 97 career games.
