ASHBURN, Va. — When the Washington Commanders acquired wide receiver Deebo Samuel in March, there was curiosity about how he would fit into their offense. Samuel had experience playing against the San Francisco 49ers, coached by Dan Quinn, and faced games coached by current Washington offensive coordinator Cliff Kingsbury during his time with the Arizona Cardinals.
However, playing against a team isn’t the same as playing within its system. Despite six years in the 49ers’ high-powered offense under Kyle Shanahan, Samuel found Washington’s approach quite different. “Not at all,” Samuel told Yahoo Sports, emphasizing that Washington operates more with signals rather than a no-huddle offense, requiring close attention to details and quarterback Jaden Daniels’ style.
While Samuel and the 49ers were closely aligned on the field, the Commanders and 49ers represented two opposite ends when it came to play-calling tempo last season. Washington rarely used the no-huddle, lining up in such formations over 670 times out of 1,101 plays, whereas San Francisco only did so 33 times from their 1,026 plays. This contrast highlights Washington’s more traditional pace compared to the 49ers and even other teams like the Chicago Bears, who also used no-huddle more frequently.
Historically, only a few teams like Chip Kelly’s Eagles have operated with a higher no-huddle usage than the Commanders’ style. Despite the different tempos, Samuel’s teammates, including Daniels, are optimistic about his impact. Daniels praised Samuel as a proven playmaker ready to thrive in a fresh start.
During his six years with the 49ers, Samuel scored 22 receiving touchdowns across 334 catches and rushed for 20 touchdowns on 1,143 yards. His 2021 season was particularly impressive, leading the league with an average of 18.2 yards per catch. Last year, despite battling pneumonia, he still managed 51 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns.
The Commanders gave up a 2025 five-round draft pick and are paying Samuel $17.6 million this season. Samuel is enthusiastic about the season ahead, confident he still has a lot to offer, praising Daniels for his speed, accuracy, and decision-making.
Washington hopes to build a strong receiving duo with Samuel and Terry McLaurin, who boasted a career-high 13 touchdowns last season despite missing early training camp due to an ankle injury. McLaurin, who was drafted after the 49ers selected Samuel, has consistently produced five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons but has not yet practiced this preseason.
Coach Dan Quinn noted that injured players like McLaurin can return anytime, which heightens anticipation for the duo’s potential impact. Samuel praised McLaurin’s impressive ball skills and vertical ability, highlighting how they complement each other and feed off each other’s energy. He believes that once McLaurin returns, the Commanders’ offense could reach new heights.
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Fan Take: This news signals an exciting shift for the Washington Commanders, blending Samuel’s explosive playmaking with Daniels’ dynamic quarterbacking and McLaurin’s reliable hands. NFL fans should watch closely as this trio could redefine Washington’s offense and bring fresh energy to the league’s competitive landscape.
