Amon-Ra St. Brown Reacts to Deebo Samuel Trade: ‘49ers Will Miss Him’
Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown has weighed in on the blockbuster trade that sent Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers to the Washington Commanders. During the latest episode of his St. Brown Brothers podcast, the former USC standout shared his thoughts on what the move means for both teams.
“We knew that he was going to be gone,” St. Brown said, acknowledging the long-standing trade rumors. “But the Commanders, I think for him, is a great fit. They got some weapons.”
St. Brown highlighted some of Samuel’s new teammates in Washington, including wide receiver Terry McLaurin, incoming rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, and newly acquired running back Austin Ekeler. He believes Samuel will thrive in the revamped Commanders offense, stating, “I think Deebo is in a great situation.”
However, his comments weren’t as optimistic for the 49ers. “For the Niners, it might hurt them losing someone like Deebo,” he said. “Obviously, you have to pay him and things like that. But the 49ers for sure are going to miss Deebo.”
San Francisco traded away its 2021 All-Pro wide receiver in exchange for a fifth-round pick—an area of the draft where the team has previously found gems like tight end George Kittle, safety Talanoa Hufanga, and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. But losing Samuel, who played a critical role in their Super Bowl runs, leaves a significant hole in their offense.
Known for his physicality, versatility, and ability to dominate both as a receiver and a runner, Samuel was a unique weapon in Kyle Shanahan’s system. His ability to power through defensive linemen and linebackers made him a nightmare for opponents. Now, the 49ers will have to adjust without their go-to playmaker in crucial moments.
St. Brown and the Lions will get a firsthand look at how Samuel fits with his new team. Detroit is set to face the Commanders in the 2025 season, marking a rematch of their heartbreaking NFC Divisional Round loss. This time, however, Samuel will be on the other side, potentially looking to make an impact against the team that ended Washington’s playoff run.
As one of the league’s rising stars, St. Brown knows how much an elite playmaker can change a game. While he believes Samuel will thrive in Washington, he’s also confident the 49ers will feel his absence when the season kicks off.
St. Brown Speaks Out: What He Thinks About a Deebo Samuel Trade
