Veteran receiver Deebo Samuel remains unsigned as NFL training camps open soon, and although there are no rumors of a potential reunion with the San Francisco 49ers, a telling exchange on social media involving two of his former teammates could mean it’s on the table.
Samuel, who is a free agent after the Washington Commanders released him this offseason, posted “Let The Chips Fall Where They May” on Instagram this week. 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who spent eight seasons alongside Samuel in San Francisco before the 49ers released Samuel in 2025, replied with an offer that read as more than a joke: “I have a guest house with your name on it.” Tight end George Kittle added that “I also have a guest house labeled ‘Deebo’s second home.'”
The comment, which drew more than 2,000 likes, reignited chatter about whether San Francisco should revisit a reunion with the receiver it traded away last year.
It also comes a few days after Samuel posted his eagerness to sign on X: “Ready for whatever!!”
Samuel, 30, spent one season in Washington after the trade, catching 72 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns in 2025. That marked a slight bounce-back from his final year with the 49ers, when he posted 51 receptions for 670 yards and three scores in 2024. He’s never replicated his 2021 All-Pro form, when he totaled 1,405 receiving yards, 365 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns, but his after-the-catch ability remains his calling card.
The 49ers overhauled their receiver room this offseason after signing Mike Evans and Christian Kirk and drafting De’Zhaun Stribling in the second round, but that doesn’t mean they can’t use an offensive weapon like Samuel. He knows the offense, and there are still question marks around Ricky Pearsall’s availability after two injury-plagued seasons. The same goes for Evans and Kirk, who are veterans but join a brand-new team. And then Stribling, who is only a rookie.
None of those additions profile as a true yards-after-catch weapon in the mold Samuel once provided for Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. With George Kittle dealing with an Achilles injury that could limit him for a chunk of the season, the offense could be shorthanded at the exact skill set Samuel specializes in.
The counterpoint is obvious: the room is already crowded, and Shanahan has shown he’s comfortable rotating through younger pass catchers rather than making room for a veteran addition. A reunion likely hinges on injuries or underwhelming camp performances opening a real need.
Still, Juszczyk’s public invitation adds fuel to a storyline that isn’t going away as camp progresses. If Samuel is still searching for a home when the games start to matter, a return to Santa Clara could be on the table in training camp.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers All-Pros think team should reunite with former star WR
Reporting by Oliver G., Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Oliver G., Niners Wire | USA TODAY Network
