It looks like Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s dream could come true. Back in Feb. 2025, before he was traded to Washington, he posted a picture of himself wearing an orange jersey. Then on his podcast, the-then San Francisco 49ers WR mentioned which team was on his list of trade options.“I can say Denver,” Samuel said. “Bo Nix is playing really good ball. Their defense is outrageous. Patrick Surtain II is the best at this position. Been for the past two years. I just think you need a couple more pieces and it’ll be what it needs to be and just have to get past [Kansas City Chiefs QB] Patrick Mahomes every year.”
Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel projected for Bo Nix’s Broncos
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell reports the Broncos have a crowded WR room with Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Troy Franklin. But calls Denver a dream fit for Deebo. Samuel could be a rugged addition. Someone who could offer more physicality than others.In 2021, the Commanders’ WR recorded eight rushing touchdowns from 365 rushing yards and six receiving touchdowns from 1,405 receiving yards [collected 1,770 yards from scrimmage].Broncos coach Sean Payton loves using a player as a joker, someone who can play multiple roles to create confusion for the opponent. Samuel, being a dual threat, a running back and a wide receiver, can be that joker.He is also a perfect fit for Nix because Deebo thrives on quick throws and deep routes, skills Denver’s quarterback already masters [particularly in 2025].Anyhow, one thing that could be concerning for the Broncos is Samuel’s injury history over the years.
Deebo Samuel’s injuries affected his performance
The kind of dual-threat production Deebo generated in 2021 was not recreated in the past few seasons because of an ankle/knee injury in Dec. 2022, a shoulder injury in Jan. 2024, a calf strain in Sept. 2024, a hand injury in Aug. 2025, a foot injury in Oct. 2025, and an illness in Dec. 2025.But since there are so many wide receivers to take up his place in case, he gets injured, a power boost is all that the Broncos may need when he’s on the gridiron. And when he’s not injured, he’s an impeccable force on the field. So, after displaying team loyalty in San Francisco and a detour in Washington, Samuel could settle in Denver.After all these years, maybe. He’s ranked one of the best remaining free agents as well. And Denver has not signed anyone in free agency, so they may consider him. Spotrac projects him to land a two-year contract worth $31M, giving him an average annual salary of $15.8M. Denver’s salary cap as of March is approx. $23M for 2026. Can they accommodate Samuel? Only time will tell…
