The new league year opened up with some notable changes to the San Francisco 49ers roster, one of which included saying goodbye to one of the more highly-revered players within the organization. After six seasons with the red and gold, wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is headed to the Washington Commanders via trade.

"He's asked for a fresh start, and we're going to honor that," Lynch said at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, ahead of any trade agreement. "I don't like seeing great players leave, and he is a great player. I think one of my favorite draft picks in my time."

Lynch later added, "Love, there's a lot of love there. There's a lot of respect there. There are a lot of shared experiences, so to let that go, that's difficult."

Samuel Sr. joins forces with a familiar face in Washington D.C., former 49ers assistant general manager and current Commanders general manager, Adam Peters, in Washington D.C. Peters spent seven seasons with San Francisco (2017-2023) and served as the vice president of player personnel in 2019, the year Samuel Sr. was drafted in the second round, 36th-overall.

During his six-season tenure in The Bay, the 49ers "wideback," as he came to be known, was a part of four NFC Championship Game appearances and two Super Bowl teams (LIV and LVIII). He was also a two-time team captain.

Samuel Sr. appeared in 81 regular season games (73 starts) and registered 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also added 202 carries for 1,134 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. In his 12 postseason starts, Samuel amassed 46 catches for 638 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 52 carries for 288 yards and one touchdown.

The wideout enjoyed his most productive season in 2021, closing out the campaign with First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. During that 2021 season, Samuel Sr. recorded career-highs in receiving yards (1,405), rushing yards (365), carries (59), and rushing touchdowns (eight).

Samuel Sr. has expressed his appreciation for the organization and the fanbase via social media over the course of the past couple weeks.

"(The) 49ers know where I stand with them, and it's nothing but love," he wrote on X. "Love John and Kyle (Shanahan) to death, no bad blood, no way shape or form. They know I'm more than appreciative of everything they've done for me as a player and a man. Nothing but love."

Below is a video Samuel Sr. posted on his personal Instagram page to pay tribute to his six seasons in San Francisco.