Following a trade from San Francisco to Washington, Deebo Samuel is determined to prove his downward trend over the last few seasons isn't how his career will track.
"They're getting a motivated Deebo," Samuel said of the Commanders on Thursday in his introductory video conference with reporters, via The Associated Press. "I'm very motivated. I'm just ready to get back to work. I'm just ready to get around a group of guys, meet with the players and we just go from there."
Samuel was admittedly overweight last season, had sideline outbursts and complained about his usage in Kyle Shanahan's offense. Following the trade, the 29-year-old is out to show he's still a playmaking force.
The Commanders showed their faith by guaranteeing his $17 million salary and adding $3 million more in incentives.
"It just kind of shows what they think," Samuel said. "For me on my end, it's just like they put this much trust in me to do the things they as far as my contract, I can't come in here and let them down. I've got to give it my all. I've got to do all the things that I need to do to be the best version of myself when I come here."
Samuel hasn't been the best version of himself since an All-Pro 2021 season in which he generated 1,405 receiving yards, led the NFL with 18.2 yards per catch, had six touchdown catches, and added 365 rushing yards and another six scores.
The YAC receiver fits well in Kliff Kingsbury's offense opposite Terry McLaurin. The presence of stud quarterback Jayden Daniels also made Washington one of the clubs Samuel wanted to join.
"It's kind of close to home, a really good team, a really good quarterback, Terry's been playing at the top of his game for the past six years," Samuel said. "We're going on seven, so they kind of consider us old, but I don't consider us old. These young legs are still moving. This body's still working pretty well. I'm just ready to get to work."
Work, slim down, and get back to being Deebo. If he does all that, the Commanders have a dangerous one-two combo.
